Ad quod damnum

The name of a writ formerly issuing from the English chancery, commanding the sheriff to make inquiry "to what damage" a specified act, if done, will tend. Ad quod damnum is a writ which ought to be sued before the king grants certain liberties, as a fair, market, or such like, which may be prejudicial to others, and thereby it should be inquired whether it will be a prejudice to grant them, and to whom it will be prejudicial, and what prejudice will come thereby. There is also another writ of ad quod damnum, if any one will turn a common highway and lay out another way as beneficial. Termes de la Ley.

Lat. (To what damage.)

In English law. A writ (so called from these its emphatic words,) directed to the sheriff, commanding him.to inquire by the oath of jurors, whether a grant intended to be made by the king would be to his damage, or prejudice, or to that of others; and if it be, then to what damage, (ad quod damnum et quod prc^udicium nostrum, et ad quod (lamnum et quod prosjudicium aliorum.) Reg, Orig. 247 a, et seqr F. N, B. 221, It is required to be issued before the crown can grant certain liberties, as a fair, market, &c., which may be prejudicial to others, and it was also formerly had for the turning and changng of ancient highways, watercourses, <fec. Termes de la ley. Whishaw, A writ under this name is given by the Revised Statutes of New-York, in cases where the governor of the State is authorized by law to take possession of any lands or tenements within the state for the use of the people, and he cannot agree with the owners of such lands for the purchase thereof. 2 Rev. St. [688,] 488, § 68.