Editing Barratry (common law) (section)

===== History =====

Being a common barrator was an offence under the [[common law]] of England. It was classified as a [[misdemeanor]]<!--Note that "misdemeanor" is a correct spelling in British English usage for the legal term of art-->. It consisted of "persistently stirring up quarrels in the Courts or out of them". It is uncertain whether, in the ordinary way, persons charged with commission of the offence were dealt with by [[indictment]].<ref name="bailii.org">[[Law Commission (England and Wales)|The Law Commission]], [http://www.bailii.org/ew/other/EWLC/1966/3.html Proposals to Abolish Certain Ancient Criminal Offences] (Law Com 3), paragraph 2</ref>

In 1966, the [[Law Commission (England and Wales)|Law Commission]] recommended for the offence to be abolished.<ref>[[Law Commission (England and Wales)|The Law Commission]], [http://www.bailii.org/ew/other/EWLC/1966/3.html Proposals to Abolish Certain Ancient Criminal Offences] (Law Com 3), paragraphs 7 and 8</ref> It said that there had been no indictments for this offence for "many years" and that, as an indictable misdemeanor, it was "wholly obsolete".<ref name="bailii.org"/> Its recommendation was implemented by the Criminal Law Act 1967.