This Article provides a definition of the term “qui tam” as used in the False Claims Act. Under the federal False Claims Act, a whistleblower is entitled to a money reward for reporting fraud against the government, which average over $1 million. The definition of the term “qui tam” is important because it is the main government reward program.
The term or definition of qui tam as used in the False Claims Act is short for the Latin phrase “qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur,” which the Supreme Court said means “who pursues this action on our Lord the King’s behalf as well as his own.’” Vermont Agency of Natural Resources v. United States ex rel. Stevens, 529 U.S. 765, 769 n.1 (2000). In short, as used in the False Claims Act, the definition of qui tam means one who pursues an action on behalf of the sovereign government as well as for himself.
Qui tam provisions began in thirteenth century England. They were designed to permit private individuals to bring a suit on behalf of the King and served as a private attorney general to supplement to official law enforcement. See United States ex rel. S. Prawer & Co. v. Fleet Bank, 24 F.3d 320, 324 n. 7 (1st Cir.1994) (citation omitted).
Under the False Claims Act, a citizen called a relator to file a lawsuit on behalf of the government and in doing so, claim a portion of the proceeds as a reward for bringing the lawsuit. In other words, the False Claims Act allows you to bring a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the government and also to share in the recovery when a company is cheating or defrauding the government. This means that through an attorney you actually file a qui tam civil lawsuit demanding that the wrongdoer repay the money and also claim a portion of the recovery as your reward as permitted under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.
Thus, at its core, the definition of the term qui tam means that you are eligible for a reward if you file a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the government under the False Claims Act against a company that is committing fraud against the government.
See the link at the bottom of the page below “Do I have a case” to have Mr. Hesch review your potential whistleblower reward case. See the link at the bottom of the page below “Report Fraud” to learn more about the government’s whistleblower reward program.
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