barratry

Early 15th century, in sense “sale of offices”, from Old French baraterie (“deceit, trickery”), from barat (“fraud, deceit, trickery”), of Unknown origin, perhaps Celtic.[1] In marine sense of “unlawful acts causing loss to owner”, 1620s.[1].

• IPA^(key): /ˈbæɹətɹi/

barratry (plural barratries)

1. The act of persistently instigating lawsuits, often groundless ones.
2. The sale and/or purchase of religious or political positions of power.
3. (admiralty law) Unlawful or fraudulent acts by the crew of a vessel, harming the vessel's owner.

• (sale or purchase of positions of power): simony

• barrator
• barratrous
• barratrously

• champerty