An agreement between a litigant and a person who is not a party to the action, including the litigantÂ’s lawyer, for that person to pursue or financially support the litigantÂ’s claim in exchange for a portion of any damages awarded. The practice was once prohibited by the common law and it is still forbidden in some states, thereby casting doubt on the legality of lawyers advancing costs for their clients, as in the payment of expert witness fees.

To financially support or otherwise maintain or promote another personÂ’s claim.