QUI TAM

Lat.: who as well. A qui tam action is a lawsuit under a statute, which gives to the plaintiff bringing the action a part of the penalty recovered and the balance to the state. The plaintiff describes himself as suing for the state as well as for himself. Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016

"Qui tam is short for 'qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur,' which means 'who pursues this action on our Lord the King's behalf as well as his own.'"

- Ragsdale v. Rubbermaid, 193 F.3d 1235 (11th Cir. 1999).