champerty (champerti)

[Also cham party, champert (obs.), Foreyn attornes to be admitted and sworn in lyke wise, truly to execute ther office as the lawe requirith wtout mayntenaunce, or champer tye , or conseilynge ther cliauntors to vse eny fals accyons. English Gilds (E. E. T. S.), p. 400. The practice of champerty was common, whereby the lawyer did his work in consideration of a percentage on the sum which was at last forcibly collected. Atlantic Monthly , LVIII. 382. 21. A partnership in power. Also written cham party.