champerty
noun
cham·per·ty ˈcham-pər-tē 
: a proceeding by which a person not a party in a suit bargains to aid in or carry on its prosecution or defense in consideration of a share of the matter in suit
champertous
ˈcham-pər-təs
adjective 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English champartie, from Anglo-French, from champart share in litigious property, from champ field (from Latin campus) + part portion — more at part
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
champerty
noun
cham·per·ty ˈcham-pər-tē
plural champerties
: an unenforceable agreement by which a person with otherwise no interest in a lawsuit agrees to aid in or carry on its litigation in consideration of a share of the subject matter of the suit (as property or damages) compare maintenance