Law. [L., the first words of the clause qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso sequitur ‘who as well for the lord the king as for himself sues.’] An action brought on a penal statute by an informer, who sues for the penalty both on his own behalf and on that of the crown. b. transf. An informer.
1755. Chesterf., in World, No. 105. An action popular, or of qui tam, would certainly lie.
1783. Chron., in Ann. Reg., 213/2. An action was tried brought by qui tam on the statute of usury.
1816. ‘Quiz,’ Grand Master, III. 63. While the qui tams abuse each other, From hangman Murtagh to ——.
attrib. 1803. Med. Jrnl., x. 170. Whatever certainty is required in an indictment, the same is necessary in a qui tam information.
1812. Sporting Mag., XXXIX. 23. Amongst … these are some qui tam gentry.
1853. T. I. Wharton, Pennsylv. Digest (ed. 6), II. 17. Qui tam informations are in the nature of civil suits.
