5 Property of her Majesty’s subjects found in possession of pirates to be restored on payment of one eighth of value. U.K.
All ships,vessels, boats, goods, merchandize, specie, or other property taken possession of from pirates by any of her Majesty’s ships or vessels of war, or hired armed vessels, . . . F1 or their boats, or any of the officers and crews thereof, shall and may be proceeded against in any of the Admiralty courts before mentioned, and be subject and liable to condemnation as droits and perquisites of her Majesty in her Office of Admiralty: Provided always, that if any part of the said property shall be duly proved to have belonged to and to have been taken from any of her Majesty’s subjects, or from the subjects of any foreign power, then such property and every part thereof shall, by the decree of the said court, be adjudged to be restored, and shall be accordingly restored, to the former owner or owners, proprietor or proprietors thereof respectively, he or they paying for or in lieu of salvage a sum of money equal to one eighth part of the true value, which money . . . F1 shall be paid to and divided and distributed amongst the officers and crews thereof, in such manner, form, and proportion as other bounties are now distributable by virtue of her Majesty’s proclamation or order in council dated the thirtieth day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, or as her Majesty, shall from time to time by any further proclamation or order or orders in council think fit to declare and direct; . . . F1
Textual Amendments
F1Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1875 (c. 66)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1 “Any of the Admiralty Courts before-mentioned” means the High Court of Admiralty of England (jurisdiction now exercisable by High Court: Administration of Justice Act 1956 (c. 46), s. 1(1)) and Courts of Vice-Admiralty in H.M. possessions abroad (jurisdiction transferred to Colonial Courts of Admiralty by Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act 1890 (c. 27), ss. 2(3), 17)