Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1873 Admiralty and Maritime Cases
Title 28 › PART V — PROCEDURE › CHAPTER 121 — JURIES; TRIAL BY JURY › § 1873
Summary
Either side can demand a jury trial for factual issues in maritime contract or tort cases about vessels of twenty tons or more used in interstate Great Lakes commerce.
Full Legal Text
Title 28, §1873
Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In any case of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction relating to any matter of contract or tort arising upon or concerning any vessel of twenty tons or upward, enrolled and licensed for the coasting trade, and employed in the business of commerce and navigation between places in different states upon the lakes and navigable waters connecting said lakes, the trial of all issues of fact shall be by jury if either party demands it.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 770 (R.S. §§ 566, 648; Mar. 3, 1911, ch. 231, § 291, 36 Stat. 1167). Words “and Territories” following words “in different States” were omitted as obsolete. The act of February 26, 1845, ch. 20, 5 Stat. 726, from which this language was derived was intended primarily to cover the Great Lakes regions. The first sentence of section 770 of title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., providing generally for the right of jury trials in district courts, was omitted as covered by Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Changes were made in phraseology.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
28 U.S.C. § 1873
Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102