Universal criminal jurisdiction is the authority of state courts, or international tribunals with criminal jurisdiction, to prosecute certain crimes recognized under international law, regardless of where the offense occurred or the nationality of either the victim or perpetrator.

Many scholars argue that piracy was the first subject of universal criminal jurisdiction, to be exercised by any state that would enforce a prohibition against such acts. In its Article 105 the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea provides that every state has the right to seize a pirate ship, or aircraft or ship taken by piracy. The courts authorizing the seizure have the jurisdiction to prosecute and punish pirates who are seized. Engaging in the slave trade is usually cited as the second universal crime, but transporting slaves is now also covered by United Nations (UN) conventions. It was the nature of crimes committed on...