next friend

English

Noun

next friend (plural next friends)

1. (law) A person who represents another person who is under disability or otherwise unable to maintain a suit on their own behalf, and who does not have a legal guardian.
   • 1870 April–September, Charles Dickens, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1870, →OCLC:

     Then leave-taking was not long about; and Miss Twinkleton, in saluting each young lady’s cheek, confided to her an exceedingly neat letter, addressed to her next friend at law, “with Miss Twinkleton’s best compliments” in the corner.

Synonyms

• litigation friend
• prochein ami

See also

• next of kin