Barratry

Barratry: legal concept with two meanings, one in criminal and civil law, the other in admiralty law.

In the first case, barratry 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.

See also champerty, SLAPP, vexatious litigation, abuse of process, malicious prosecution

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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.