noun
Formal legal term for a person who has retained a lawyer. In everyday contexts, 依頼人 is more common.
弁護士は弁護依頼人の無実を主張した。
The lawyer asserted the innocence of his client.
弁護依頼人との面談は守秘義務の対象となる。
Meetings with a client are subject to attorney-client privilege.
Compound of 弁護 (defense, advocacy) + 依頼人 (client, person who entrusts).