Common Law Procedure Act 1852

XCIV Inquiry of Damages may be directed to take place before the Master.

In Actions in which it shall appear to the Court or a Judge that the Amount of Damages sought to be recovered by the Plaintiff is substantially a Matter of Calculation, it shall not be necessary to issue a Writ of Inquiry, but the Court or a Judge may direct that the Amount, for which final Judgment is to be signed, shall be ascertained by One of the Masters of the said Court; and the Attendance of Witnesses and the Production of Documents before such Master may be compelled by Subpoena, in the same Manner as before a Jury upon a Writ of Inquiry; and it shall be lawful for such Master to adjourn the Inquiry from Time to Time, as Occasion may require; and the Master shall indorse upon the Rule or Order for referring the Amount of Damages to him, the Amount found by him, and shall deliver the Rule or Order, with such Indorsement, to the Plaintiff; and such and the like Proceedings may thereupon be had as to Taxation of Costs, signing Judgment, and otherwise, as upon the Finding of a Jury upon a Writ of Inquiry.