Legal Definitions - law of marque

LAW OF MARQUE

The law of marque is a rule that allows someone who has been wronged but cannot get justice to take the goods of the wrongdoer found within the wronged person's area, as compensation for the wrong.

During times of war, a country may issue letters of marque to private ships, allowing them to attack and capture enemy ships and take their goods as compensation for damages caused by the enemy.

Another example is if someone's property is stolen and the thief cannot be found or brought to justice, the victim may be allowed to take goods of equal value from the thief's property as compensation for the theft.

The law of marque is a way for someone who has been wronged to seek compensation when they cannot get justice through legal means. The examples illustrate how this rule can be applied in different situations, such as during times of war or in cases of theft. In both cases, the wronged party is allowed to take goods from the wrongdoer as compensation for the harm caused.