Legal Definitions - Consolato del Mare

Definition: Consolato del Mare (kawn-soh-lah-toh del mah-ray) is a collection of European maritime customs that was compiled in the 14th century. It became one of the leading maritime codes of Europe and was referred to by commercial judges (consuls) in ports of the kingdom of Aragon and other Mediterranean maritime towns. It is widely believed to be a Spanish work, but some historians suggest that its origin is actually Italian.

Example: The Consolato del Mare was used to settle disputes between merchants and sailors in Mediterranean ports. For example, if a merchant claimed that his goods were damaged during transport, the consul would refer to the Consolato del Mare to determine who was responsible for the damages and how much compensation should be paid.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Consolato del Mare was used as a legal reference for maritime disputes. It provided guidelines for resolving conflicts between merchants, sailors, and shipowners, and helped to establish a fair and consistent system of maritime law across Europe.