1. A clause in a charter that progressively grants certain rights anew. • The phrase appeared in reference to any charter by which a superior renewed a previous land grant to a vassal.
2. A charter containing such a clause.
“This clause is subjoined to the dispositive clause; and by it the superior, whether the Crown or a subject, grants de novo the subjects, rights, or privileges therein described. Such a clause is usually inserted where the vassal is sensible of some defect or flaw in the former right …. This was also the correct form of proceeding … when the vassal wished to get free of burdens chargeable upon the subject for casualties due to the superior; for a charter of novodamus is accounted in law an original right, which imports a discharge of all prior burdens.” William Bell, Bell’s Dictionary and Digest of the Law of Scotland 747 (George Watson ed., 7th ed. 1890).
