Simple English definitions for legal terms
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The Federal Maritime Lien Act is a law that gives a special right to people who provide things like supplies or services to a boat. This right is called a lien, which means they have the legal ability to take possession of the boat if the owner doesn't pay them for what they provided. The law applies to many different types of goods and services, and it happens automatically without the need for a court order.
The Federal Maritime Lien Act (FMLA) is a law that gives a legal right to anyone who provides goods or services to a vessel. This law automatically creates a lien on the vessel, which means that the person who provided the goods or services has a right to be paid before anyone else if the vessel is sold or if there is a dispute over payment.
These examples illustrate how the FMLA works in practice. The law is designed to protect people who provide goods and services to vessels, as they often have to wait a long time to be paid. By creating an automatic lien, the FMLA ensures that these people have a legal right to be paid, even if the vessel owner or operator is unable or unwilling to pay.
Federal Maritime Commission | Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service