barratry

bar·ra·try   (bār'ə-trē)    n.   pl. bar·ra·tries The offense of persistently instigating lawsuits, typically groundless ones. An unlawful breach of duty on the part of a ship's master or crew resulting in injury to the ship's owner. Sale or purchase of positions in church or state. [Middle English barratrie, the sale of church offices, from Old French baraterie, deception, malversation, from barater, to cheat; see barrator.] bar'ra·trous (-trəs) adj., bar'ra·trous·ly adv.

Barratry

The act of a vessel's captain or crew knowingly endangering the vessel's cargo and/or the vessel itself.

Investopedia Commentary

Acts that are considered barratry include intentionally sinking the ship, transporting illegal immigrants, and stealing cargo.

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See also: Approved Delivery Facility, Free on Board - FOB, Incoterms, Shipping Certificate

Main Entry: bar·ra·try
Pronunciation: 'bar-&-trE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -tries
Etymology: Middle French baraterie deception, from barater to deceive, cheat
1 : an unlawful act or fraudulent breach of duty by a ship's master or crew that injures the interests of the ship's or cargo's owners —often used in marine insurance policies
NOTE: Examples of barratry include embezzling cargo, stealing a ship's equipment, or willfully sinking a ship.
2 : the persistent incitement of litigation