Definition

An agreement where a person who is not involved in a lawsuit helps to support it in exchange for a share of the money won from the case.

Example

The lawyer entered into a champerty agreement to help the plaintiff with the lawsuit.

Conversation

I was reading about legal terms, and I came across champerty.

Oh, I've heard that word before! What does it mean?

It's when someone not involved in a lawsuit helps fund it in exchange for a share of the winnings.

That sounds interesting! I didn't know there was a term for that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Champerty originates from Old French 'champart' (meaning a share of the profits), which is derived from 'champ' (meaning field) and 'partir' (meaning to divide). The term refers to an agreement where one party provides financial support for a lawsuit in exchange for a share of the proceeds.

Memory Tip

Think of 'champ' as a field where profits are 'divided' ('partir') — champerty is about sharing the profits from a legal case.

Visually Confused Words