Champerty refers to an arrangement in common law where a third party, such as an attorney, underwrites the costs of a lawsuit in exchange for a portion of the expected damages. Once illegal, champerty is now prohibited in modified form in only a few jurisdictions.
The Code of Professional Responsibility is a set of rules based on ethical considerations that govern the conduct of lawyers. It was passed by the American Bar Association and adopted by most states, and is enforced by state disciplinary boards.
A frivolous lawsuit is a legal claim presented in court without substantial grounds or factual support. Such claims are considered a waste of judicial resources and can result in penalties for the party who files them.
