champerty

[ cham-per-tee ]

nounLaw.
  1. a sharing in the proceeds of litigation by one who agrees with either the plaintiff or defendant to help promote it or carry it on.

Origin of champerty

1
1300–50; Middle English champartie, equivalent to champart (<Middle French: share of the produce, literally, of the field, equivalent to champ field (see camp1) + part share, see part) + -ie-y3

Other words from champerty

  • cham·per·tous, adjective

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How to use champerty in a sentence

  • It is unnecessary to inquire here whether such a contract is void as champertous, and contrary to public policy.

British Dictionary definitions for champerty

champerty

/ (ˈtʃæmpətɪ) /


nounplural -ties
  1. law (formerly) an illegal bargain between a party to litigation and an outsider whereby the latter agrees to pay for the action and thereby share in any proceeds recovered: See also maintenance

Origin of champerty

1
C14: from Anglo-French champartie, from Old French champart share of produce, from champ field + part share (a feudal lord's)

Derived forms of champerty

  • champertous, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012