Barratry is the name of two legal concepts. One is in criminal and civil law, and the other is in admiralty law.

Criminal and civil law

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Barratry, in criminal and civil law, is the act or practice of bringing repeated legal actions solely to harass. Usually, the actions brought lack merit. This action has been declared a crime in some jurisdictions. For example, in the U.S. state of California, barratry is a misdemeanor. People v. Sanford, 202 Cal. App. Supp. 1 (App. Dept. Sup. Ct 1988). ^* See also: champerty, SLAPP, vexatious litigation, abuse of process, malicious prosecution, forum shopping.

Admiralty law

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In admiralty law, barratry is a fraudulent act committed by a master or crew of a vessel which damages the vessel or its cargo, including desertion, illegal scuttling, and theft of the ship or cargo.

Other

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Barratry, when used elsewhere, may refer to the buying and selling of positions within civil authority. This contrasts with simony, which is the buying and selling of positions within the church.

Civil law | Criminal law | Law of the sea | Legal terms