BARRATRY

barratry

(noun) the offense of vexatiously persisting in inciting lawsuits and quarrels

barratry

(noun) (maritime law) a fraudulent breach of duty by the master of a ship that injures the owner of the ship or its cargo; includes every breach of trust such as stealing or sinking or deserting the ship or embezzling the cargo

barratry

(noun) the crime of a judge whose judgment is influenced by bribery

simony, barratry

(noun) traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

barratry (countable and uncountable, plural barratries)

The act of persistently instigating lawsuits, often groundless ones.

The sale or purchase of religious or political positions of power.

Coordinate term: simony

(admiralty legal) Unlawful or fraudulent acts by the crew of a vessel, harming the vessel's owner.

Source: Wiktionary

Bar"ra*try, n. Etym: [Cf. F. baraterie, LL. barataria. See Barrator, and cf. Bartery.]

1. (Law)

Definition: The practice of exciting and encouraging lawsuits and quarrels. [Also spelt barretry.] Coke. Blackstone.

2. (Mar. Law)

Definition: A fraudulent breach of duty or willful act of known illegality on the part of a master of a ship, in his character of master, or of the mariners, to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo, and without his consent. It includes every breach of trust committed with dishonest purpose, as by running away with the ship, sinking or deserting her, etc., or by embezzling the cargo. Kent. Part.

3. (Scots Law)

Definition: The crime of a judge who is influenced by bribery in pronouncing judgment. Wharton.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition