The word barratry was first used within Admiralty law and means “misconduct by crew of a ship resulting in its damage”. However, within Common Law it means “litigation for the purpose of harassment or profit”.

If an employee working for a corporation should initiate litigation against you, without a contract, then they have committed barratry, and if said corporation is “for-profit” then the employee has done so for financial gain.

Until the year 1888 barratry was a capital offence, and, although it is still punishable by imprisonment today, fines are usually paid.