'Champerty' definitions:
Definition of 'champerty'
(from WordNet)
noun
An unethical agreement between an attorney and client that the attorney would sue and pay the costs of the client's suit in return for a portion of the damages awarded; "soliciting personal injury cases may constitute champerty"
Definition of 'Champerty'
From: GCIDE
- Champerty \Cham"per*ty\, n. [F. champart field rent, L. campipars; champ (L. campus) field + part (L. pars) share.]
- 1. Partnership in power; equal share of authority. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- Beaut['e] ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardyness, Ne may with Venus holde champartye. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Law) The prosecution or defense of a suit, whether by furnishing money or personal services, by one who has no legitimate concern therein, in consideration of an agreement that he shall receive, in the event of success, a share of the matter in suit; maintenance with the addition of an agreement to divide the thing in suit. See Maintenance. [1913 Webster]
- Note: By many authorities champerty is defined as an agreement of this nature. From early times the offence of champerty has been forbidden and punishable. [1913 Webster]