predecessor in interest

| \ ˈpre-də-ˌse-sər-, ˈprē- \ | pre·de·ces·sor in interest

1. : a person who previously held the rights or interests currently held by another : a party with whom another is in privity; specifically : a party in a previously related civil case who was in a similar position and dealt with similar issues and facts as a party in the current case and so had the same motive as the current party in developing testimony at trial — see also former testimony at testimony : a party in a previously related civil case who was in a similar position and dealt with similar issues and facts as a party in the current case and so had the same motive as the current party in developing testimony at trial — see also former testimony at testimony