Legal Definitions - COA

Definition: COA is an abbreviation that can stand for two different things:

1. Contract of Affreightment: This is a legal agreement between a ship owner and a cargo owner. The contract outlines the terms and conditions of transporting goods by sea. For example, it may specify the type of cargo, the quantity, the route, and the price.
2. Certificate of Appealability: This is a legal document that allows a person to appeal a court decision. It is issued by a court of appeals and indicates that the person's appeal has merit and can proceed.

Examples:

• A company that exports goods overseas may enter into a COA with a shipping company to transport their products. The COA would specify the details of the shipment, such as the type of goods, the quantity, and the delivery date.
• If a person is convicted of a crime and wants to appeal the decision, they may need to obtain a COA from the court of appeals. The COA would indicate that their appeal has merit and can be heard by the court.

The examples illustrate how COA can refer to two different legal documents that are used in different contexts. The first example shows how a COA can be used in the shipping industry to establish a contract for transporting goods. The second example shows how a COA can be used in the legal system to allow a person to appeal a court decision.