Double Complaint

or DOUBLE quarrel. A grievance made known by a clerk or other person, to the archbishop of the province, against the ordinary, for delaying or refusing to do justice in some cause ecclesiastical, as to give sentence, institute a clerk, etc. It is termed a "double complaint," because it is most commonly made against both the judge and him at whose suit justice is denied or delayed; the effect whereof is that the archbishop, taking notice of the delay, directs his letters, under his authentical seal, to all clerks of his province, commanding them to admonish the ordinary, within a certain number of days, to do the justice required, or otherwise to appear before him or his official, and there allege the cause of his delay; and to signify to the ordinary that if he neither perform the thing enjoined, nor appear nor show cause against it, he himself, in his court of audience, will forthwith proceed to do the justice that is due. Cowell. DOUBLE (or TREBLE) COSTS. In England and some of the United States, ordinary costs, and fifty per cent, thereof in addition. 22 Mich. 5; 9 Wend. (N. Y.) 443. In other states, twice the ordinary costs. 16 Pa. St. 254; 34 N. J. Law, 145. Treble costs is either full costs, and seventy-five per cent, additional, or three times the ordinary costs, in different states. DOUBLE (or TREBLE) DAMAGES. In some cases it is provided by statute that a party may recover double or treble damenhances them in the judgment. Brooke, Abr. "Damages," pi. 70; 2 Inst. 416; 1 Wils. 126; 1 Mass. 155. The damages are actually doubled or trebled, as the case may be; not assessed, like double or treble costs.

See Duplex Querela.

or DOUBLE