As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
"Contingent fee" means a fee for legal services that is contingent in whole or in partupon the successful outcome of the matter for which the legal services were retained.
"Contingent fee contract" or "contract" means a contract for legal services in whichthe amount of the fee to be paid for the legal services depends in whole or in part upon the successful outcome of the matter for which the services were obtained. The term also includes any contract that specifies that fees for legal services will be determined by a court or an arbitrator or any provision of a settlement agreement that requires the opposing party to pay fees for legal services directly to a private attorney retained by a governmental entity pursuant to a contingent fee contract.
"Governmental entity" means the state, any department or agency of the state, andany state-sponsored institution of higher education.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part added, p. 925, § 1, effective August 6.