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Admiralty Forms UK: ADM1 to ADM21 Court Guide

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Part ofAdmiralty Court Forms UK

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
Admiralty claims in England and Wales have their own set of court forms, numbered ADM1 through to ADM21. These cover everything from starting a claim against a ship, to arresting a vessel, through to limitation of liability claims brought by shipowners. If you are dealing with a shipping dispute, a collision at sea, a salvage matter, or a cargo claim, you will almost certainly encounter one or more of these forms. The Admiralty Court sits as a specialist part of the King's Bench Division of the High Court, and its procedure is governed by Civil Procedure Rules Part 61 and the accompanying Practice Direction. This page walks through the main ADM forms, what each one does, and when you might need to think about using them. The procedure is technical, and most claimants work with maritime counsel, but knowing the forms helps you follow what is happening in your case.

What this document is

The Admiralty Court is the part of the High Court that hears shipping and maritime disputes. It deals with claims involving ships, cargo, collisions, salvage, towage, pilotage, mortgages over vessels, and limitation of liability under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and international conventions.

Because admiralty work has its own history and its own procedural quirks, it uses a dedicated set of claim forms and applications rather than the standard civil forms most litigators are familiar with. The ADM series covers two broad types of claim.

An 'in rem' claim is brought against the ship itself (or other maritime property), which is what allows a vessel to be arrested as security for a claim. An 'in personam' claim is brought against a person or company in the ordinary way.

Alongside these, there are specific forms for collision statements, warrants of arrest, cautions against arrest or release, and limitation claims where a shipowner asks the court to cap their liability. Each form plays a specific role in the procedure set out in CPR 61.

How to use this document

  1. Identify the right type of admiralty claim. Work out whether your claim is in rem (against the ship or property), in personam (against a person or company), a collision claim, or a limitation claim. This decides whether you start with Form ADM1, ADM1A, or ADM15, and shapes everything that follows. Getting this wrong at the outset can cause real delays.
  2. Issue the claim form at the Admiralty Court. Admiralty claims are issued at the Admiralty and Commercial Registry in the Rolls Building in London. The claim form (ADM1, ADM1A or ADM15 depending on the type of claim) sets out the parties, the nature of the claim, and the remedy sought. Check gov.uk for the current issue fee, which depends on the value of the claim.
  3. Serve the claim and handle acknowledgment. After issue, the claim form must be served according to the rules in CPR 61. A defendant who wishes to contest the claim files Form ADM2 (acknowledgment of service for an admiralty claim). The deadlines are strict, and a failure to acknowledge can open the door to default judgment under Form ADM13.
  4. Deal with arrest, release and cautions if appropriate. If your case involves arresting a ship as security, you will need Form ADM4 (application and undertaking), ADM5 (supporting declaration), and possibly ADM6 (notice to consular officers). The warrant itself is Form ADM9. Cautions against arrest or release use Forms ADM7, ADM11 and ADM12A, and release is requested on ADM12.
  5. Handle collision or limitation procedure as required. Collision claims need a collision statement of case on Form ADM3, which each party files confidentially. Limitation claims use Form ADM15, with the shipowner seeking a decree capping liability. Defendants respond using ADM16 (admission) or ADM16A (defence), and the court can grant a restricted or general limitation decree on ADM17, ADM17A, ADM18 or ADM19.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q What is the difference between an in rem and an in personam admiralty claim?
An in rem claim is brought against the ship, cargo or other maritime property itself, which is what allows you to apply for a warrant of arrest as security. An in personam claim is a personal claim against an individual or company in the usual way. Many shipping disputes can be brought either way, but the in rem route is often chosen where the claimant wants the security of arresting a vessel.
Q How do I arrest a ship in England and Wales?
Arrest is a formal court process. You need a valid in rem claim, and you file an application and undertaking on Form ADM4 together with a supporting declaration on Form ADM5. Notice to the relevant consular officer may also be needed using Form ADM6. If granted, the Admiralty Marshal enforces the warrant of arrest issued on Form ADM9. This area is technical and most parties instruct specialist maritime counsel.
Q What is a caution against arrest or release?
A caution against arrest (Form ADM7) is filed by someone with an interest in a ship who wants to be notified before any arrest happens, often so they can provide security instead. A caution against release (Form ADM11) prevents a ship already under arrest from being released without notice to the cautioner. Cautions can be withdrawn on Form ADM12A.
Q What is a limitation claim and who uses it?
A limitation claim is brought by a shipowner, charterer or other person entitled to limit their liability under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and the international conventions it gives effect to. It asks the court to declare a cap on how much they have to pay across all claims arising from a particular incident. Limitation claims start with Form ADM15, and the court can grant either a restricted or a general limitation decree.
Q What happens if a defendant does not respond to an admiralty claim?
If a defendant fails to file an acknowledgment of service, defence or collision statement of case within the time allowed, the claimant can apply for default judgment using Form ADM13. The rules on default in admiralty claims are in CPR 61 and differ in some respects from ordinary civil procedure, particularly for in rem claims where the court may need to be satisfied on the merits before entering judgment.
Q Where do I issue admiralty forms?
Admiralty claims are issued at the Admiralty and Commercial Registry, which sits within the Rolls Building in London. It is part of the King's Bench Division of the High Court. Some steps can be handled electronically or by post, but because admiralty work is specialist, most practitioners deal directly with the Registry. Check the gov.uk court finder and the Admiralty Court Guide for current practical arrangements.
Q Do I need a solicitor to use these forms?
There is no rule saying you must have legal representation, but admiralty procedure is one of the most technical areas of civil litigation. Mistakes with arrest, limitation or collision procedure can be costly and hard to undo. Most parties instruct solicitors with a shipping practice and, where needed, specialist admiralty counsel. If you are a party in person, the Admiralty Court Guide is the most useful starting point.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.