Green’s Dictionary of Slang

out-of-work individuals who create unfounded lawsuits in order to generate cash for lawyers and themselves.

c.1786		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue ms. additions n.p.: Trading Justices Broken Tradesmen, Discharged Footmen, & other low fellows, put in the Commission of the peace for London, Southwark & Westminster, who subsist by fomenting disputes, granting warrants, & otherwise retailing justice.
1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue (2nd, 3rd edn) n.p.: trading justices Broken mechanics, discharged footmen, and other low fellows, smuggled into the commission of the peace, who subsist by fomenting disputes, granting warrants, and otherwise retailing justice.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.