champerty
noun
cham·per·ty
ˈcham-pər-tē 
: a proceeding by which a person not a party in a suit bargains to aid in or carry on its prosecution or defense in consideration of a share of the matter in suit
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Cite this Entry
“Champerty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/champerty. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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champerty
noun
cham·per·ty
ˈcham-pər-tē
plural champerties
: an unenforceable agreement by which a person with otherwise no interest in a lawsuit agrees to aid in or carry on its litigation in consideration of a share of the subject matter of the suit (as property or damages) compare maintenance
Etymology
Anglo-French champartie bargaining for a share of disputed property, from champart share of crops paid as rent, share of property in dispute, from champ field + part portion
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