barratry

noun

1. The act of persistently instigating lawsuits, often groundless ones.

2. The sale or purchase of religious or political positions of power.

3. admiralty legalUnlawful or fraudulent acts by the crew of a vessel, harming the vessel's owner.

4. Traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments

   Similar: simony

5. The crime of a judge whose judgment is influenced by bribery

6. (maritime law) a fraudulent breach of duty by the master of a ship that injures the owner of the ship or its cargo; includes every breach of trust such as stealing or sinking or deserting the ship or embezzling the cargo

7. The offense of vexatiously persisting in inciting lawsuits and quarrels