Admiralty refers to matters involving ships, sailing, and the sea, especially the laws and courts that handle disputes on the water. When a cargo ship collides with another vessel, or when sailors have a disagreement about their pay, these cases go to admiralty courts that specialize in maritime law.

Historically, the word referred to an admiral's authority over naval affairs. In England, the Lord High Admiral once controlled everything related to the navy and shipping. Today, admiralty law covers things like shipping contracts, salvage rights (who gets to keep treasure recovered from a sunken ship), and what happens when vessels crash into each other.

Admiralty matters are surprisingly complex because ships cross international borders, sail in international waters, and follow traditions that go back centuries. If a fishing boat registered in one country has an accident in another country's waters, which laws apply? Admiralty courts figure these things out. The word can also describe the government department that oversees a nation's navy, like Britain's historic Admiralty Board, which commanded the Royal Navy for hundreds of years.