The word "champertous" can be a tough one to spell, as it's not commonly used in everyday language. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /tʃæmˈpɜːtəs/, and the spelling can be broken down phonetically as follows: "ch" makes the "ch" sound as in "chair," "a" makes the "a" sound as in "bat," "m" makes the "m" sound as in "man," "p" makes the "p" sound as in "pet," and so on. Overall, the spelling of "champertous" is somewhat complex and requires careful attention to each individual letter.
The term "champertous" is an adjective that refers to a legal or ethical prohibition of an agreement made between a third party, often called a "champertor," and a party in a legal dispute in which the champertor agrees to financially support or assist the party in exchange for a portion of the proceeds if the case is successful. The word originates from the Latin term "campus partitius," which roughly translates to "divided field."
Champertous agreements are typically considered not only unethical but also illegal in many jurisdictions due to their potential to encourage unnecessary litigation, create conflicts of interest, and unfairly influence legal proceedings. By providing financial support, the champertor may meddle in the dispute, undermining the impartiality and fairness of the legal process.
The prohibition against champertous agreements aims to maintain the integrity and independence of the judicial system, ensuring that legal cases are decided solely on their merits and not influenced or interfered with by third parties. However, exceptions may exist, such as when a lawyer takes a case on a contingency fee basis.
Overall, "champertous" is a term used in legal contexts to describe the forbidden practice of entering into an agreement where a third party provides financial support to one of the parties involved in a legal dispute in exchange for a share of the eventual winnings.
The word "champertous" comes from the Old French term "champart", which means a portion of the produce or profits. It further derives from the Latin word "campus", meaning field or land. In medieval times, champart referred to the share of the harvest or produce given to the owner, often as rent or as a form of tax. Over time, the term "champertous" evolved into English law to refer to an illicit practice, particularly in relation to barristers, where they would share in the proceeds or profits of a legal action in which they were involved.