predecessor in interest

Main Entry: pre·de·ces·sor in interest
Pronunciation: 'pre-d&-"se-s&r-, 'prE-
: a person who previously held the rights or interests currently held by another : a party with whom another is in privity; specifically : a party in a previously related civil case who was in a similar position and dealt with similar issues and facts as a party in the current case and so had the same motive as the current party in developing testimony at trial —see also former testimony at TESTIMONY