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
1300-50;Middle Englishchampartie, 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
Related forms
champertous, adjective
Examples from the web for champerty
champerty usually arises as an affirmative defense to an action on the promissory note.
British Dictionary definitions for champerty
champerty
/ˈtʃæmpətɪ/
noun (pl) -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
Derived Forms
champertous, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Anglo-French champartie, from Old French champart share of produce, from champ field + part share (a feudal lord's)