Next Friend definitions

Next friend

1) Legal terminology
Found on https://www.crosswordclues.com/clue/next-friend

n. a person (often a relative) who voluntarily helps a minor or incompetent in legal matters, particularly by filing a lawsuit. However, this informal practice has been supplanted in almost all states by petitions for appointment of a guardian ad litem at the time the lawsuit is filed.
Found on http://dictionary.law.com/Default.xhtml?selected=1322

Next friend

In common law, a next friend (Law French prochain ami) is a person who represents another person who is under disability or otherwise unable to maintain a suit on his or her own behalf and who does not have a legal guardian. In England and Wales they are known as litigation friends. This disability often arises from minority, mental incapacity, or...
Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_friend

Next Friend

One acting without formal appointment as guardian for the benefit of an infant, a person of unsound mind not judicially declared incompetent, or other person under some disability.
Found on http://jec.unm.edu/manuals-resources/glossary-of-legal-terms

Next friend

An adult under whose protection an infant institutes an action or another legal proceeding. This adult is responsible for the conduct and the costs of the proceeding.
Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/20921

Next Friend

A person who has volunteered to help or assist another person who is incapable physically or mentally or who is a minor, to file a lawsuit himself/herself. In a case where a party is minor or infant, the father or mother acts as a representative. The next friend (generally a relative) is not the party to the lawsuit and his/her duty ends on complet...
Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/21213

Next Friend

One who, without being regularly appointed guardian, acts for the benefit of an infant, married woman, or other person, not sui juris.
Found on http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/n055.htm

Next Friend

A person, usually a relative, who appears in court on behalf of a minor or incompetent plaintiff, but who is not a party to the lawsuit. For example, children are often represented in court by their parents as next friends.
Found on http://www.nolo.com/dictionary/next-friend-term.html