View synonyms for barratry

barratry

[ bar-uh-tree ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Law.

fraud by a master or crew at the expense of the owners of the ship or its cargo.
the offense of frequently exciting and stirring up lawsuits and quarrels.
the purchase or sale of ecclesiastical preferments or of offices of state.

barratry

/ ˈbærətrɪ /

criminal law (formerly) the vexatious stirring up of quarrels or bringing of lawsuits
maritime law a fraudulent practice committed by the master or crew of a ship to the prejudice of the owner or charterer
Scots law the crime committed by a judge in accepting a bribe
the purchase or sale of public or Church offices

1400–50; late Middle English barratrie < Anglo-French, Middle French baraterie combat, fighting. See barrator, -ery

C15: from Old French baraterie deception, from barater to barter

Still, amidst these facts, which seemed to point pretty clearly to a case of barratry, there were serious difficulties.

In Scotland, barratry is the crime committed by a judge who is induced by bribery to pronounce judgment.

The instances of barratry and of common scolds, I believe, are the only exceptions.

Our legal term Barratry is derived from the medival Barrateria, which signified cheating or foul play.

But as yet there is nothing but his own raving to convict him of barratry.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse