Damage Cleer

Damage-cleer [fr. damna dericorum,Lat.], a fee assessed of the tenth part in the Common Pleas, and the twentieth part in the King's Bench and Exchequer, out of all damages exceeding five marks recovered in those courts, in actions upon the case, covenant, trespass, etc., wherein the damages were uncertain; which the plaintiff was obliged to pay to the prothonotary or the officer of the court wherein he recovered, before he could have execution for the damages. This was originally a gratuity, given to the prothonotaries and their clerks, for drawing special writs and pleadings; but it was taken away by 17 Car. 2, c. 6.