next friend
next friend. A person who appears in a lawsuit to act for the benefit of an incompetent or minor plaintiff, but who is not a party to the lawsuit and is not appointed as a guardian. — Also termed prochein ami. Cf. guardian ad litem under GUARDIAN. [Cases: Infants 76; Mental Health 485. C.J.S. Infants § 222; Insane Persons § 264.]