These tribunals, functioning without juries, addressed legal matters pertaining to maritime activities. Cases typically involved disputes over shipping, commerce, and violations of trade regulations. Colonial merchants often faced these courts, particularly in instances involving alleged smuggling and breaches of the Navigation Acts imposed by the British government.
The absence of juries and the presumption of guilt placed upon defendants were significant sources of colonial resentment. These courts became symbols of British overreach and the erosion of traditional English legal rights within the colonies. The perceived unfairness fueled growing discontent and contributed to the escalating tensions leading up to the American Revolution. They underscored the difference in legal treatment between British citizens in England and colonists in America.
