E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cham’perty
(Latin, campi partitio, division of the land) is a bargain with some person who undertakes at his own cost to recover property on condition of receiving a share thereof if he succeeds.
1
“Champerty is treated as a worse offence; for by this a stranger supplies money to carry on a suit, on condition of sharing in the land or other property.”—Parsons: Contracts (vol. ii. part ii. chap. 3, page 264.)
