Explanatory note

This Order provides that the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory, which is a Colonial Court of Admiralty, shall have the Admiralty jurisdiction of the High Court of England, as defined in section 20 of the Supreme Court Act 1981, with certain modifications. It extends certain of the provisions, relating to Admiralty jurisdiction, contained in Part II of that Act, and section 2(2) of the Hovercraft Act 1968, to the Territory, with modifications.

It permits the Supreme Court of the Territory to exercise certain of its powers in Admiralty proceedings in the United Kingdom. It also contains, in Schedule 3, Admiralty practice rules made by the Chief Justice under section 7 of the Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act 1890 and under the same section approves those rules.