Barratry is a legal term with several meanings. It can refer to:
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Simony
Simony () is the act of selling church offices and roles or sacred things. It is named after Simon Magus, who is described in the Acts of the Apostles as having offered two disciples of Jesus payment in exchange for their empowering him to imp ...
, its original meaning in English, along with the sale of public offices.
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Barratry (common law)
Barratry ( , from Old French ("deceit, trickery")) is a legal term that, at common law, described a criminal offense committed by people who are overly officious in instigating or encouraging prosecution of groundless litigation, or who bring re ...
, litigation for the purpose of harassment or profit
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Ambulance chasing
Ambulance chasing, also known as barratry, is an American term which refers to a lawyer soliciting for clients at a disaster site. The term "ambulance chasing" comes from the stereotype of lawyers who follow ambulances to the emergency room to fi ...
, when a lawyer seeks clients at a disaster site
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Barratry (admiralty law)
In admiralty law, barratry is an act of gross misconduct committed by a master or crew of a vessel resulting in damage to the vessel or its cargo. These activities may include desertion, illegal scuttling, theft of the ship or cargo, and any ac ...
, misconduct by crew of a ship resulting in its damage
* Barratry, an old name for
graft (politics)
Graft, as understood in American English, is a form of political corruption defined as the unscrupulous use of a politician's authority for personal gain. Political graft occurs when funds intended for public projects are intentionally misdirecte ...
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