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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NOVODAMUS, n. Sc. Law: (a charter confirming) a grant made afresh by a feudal superior as a result of some defect in the former one, or of changes in the incidents of a feudal holding, superseding the former one, and accounted in law an original right, a renewal of a grant (Sc. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 681, 1946 A. D. Gibb Legal Terms 59). [novo′dɑ; məs]Sc. 1703 Atholl MSS. (29 Oct.):
To putt you in mind of doeing me the kyndness of getting my signature for a novo damus and taxing my ward past the Queens hands.Wgt. 1716 G. Fraser Lowland Lore (1880) 34:
Efter the opening of the said burgh's Chartour chist they did take furth therof their said Chartour, ratificatione, and Novo damus.Sc. 1773 Erskine Institute ii. iii. § 23:
Every subject or right expressed in the clause of novodamus is deemed to be effectually conveyed to the vassal, though there had been no antecedent title to it in his person.Sc. 1858 J. B. Pratt Buchan 157:
April 9, 1588, King James VI. granted a charter of Novodamus, again erecting the town of Faithlie into a free burgh of barony, and a free port.Sc. 1891 J. Craigie Conveyancing 249:
Where the original charter to lands is lost or is defective, or when it is agreed by parties to make alterations on the original conditions of the feu, the superior, whether Crown or subject, may grant a charter of novodamus either to the original vassal, or to his heir, or to a singular successor in the feu.Sc. 1938 St. Andrews Cit. (14 May) 2:
The titles for this property have gone amissing and our client's title as heir has not been completed. The Town Council of St. Andrews are superiors of the subjects, and, on our client's behalf, we hereby apply to the Town Council for a charter of novodamus.