The Aviation and Admiralty staff represents the government in its role as owner of ships and regulator of the nation's coastal waters and inland waterways. Admiralty litigation may involve suits under statutes such as the Suits in Admiralty Act, the Public Vessels Act, and the Contract Disputes Act. Issues in admiralty may involve cargo damage, ship collision, contracts, and pollution in navigable waters. Aviation litigation arises from private and military air carrier operations and from the government's ownership and operation of both civil and military aircraft. The government's role in air traffic control, aircraft and airport certification, and dissemination of weather information is often involved in these cases.
4-5.120 Torts Branch Components -- Constitutional and Specialized Torts