the persons guilty of that act. Since this definition is restricted to the high seas, piracy in British territorial waters would today be treated as robbery, assault or attempted murder under the Territorial Waters Jurisdiction Act 1878, or as hijacking under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (which can also be applied to piracy on the high seas). In 1998 the mandatory death penalty was abolished, and the sentence is now up to life imprisonment. Ireland Ireland abolished the death penalty for piracy in 1964. The Act remains in force. See also Capital punishment in the United Kingdom Capital punishment in Ireland Piracy Act 1698 (repealed) Piracy Act 1717 (repealed) Piracy Act 1721 (repealed) Judgement of Death Act 1823 References External links The Piracy Act 1837, as amended from the National Archives. The Piracy Act 1837, as originally enacted from the National Archives. 1837 in British law United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1837 English criminal law Piracy law Piracy in the United Kingdom Death penalty law Capital punishment in the United Kingdom