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Latin. An agreement for a portion of the amount in issue. An agreement by which a creditor of a sum difficult to recover, promises a portion, for example, one-third, to the person who will undertake to recover it. In general, attorneys will abstain from, making such a contract, yet it is not unlawful.

This is an agreement made by an advocate or law agent to receive, in return for professional services, a portion of the subject of the suit instead of the usual fees. It is regarded as an illegal contract, and is void at common law; and accordingly, in the case ...