Legal Definitions - clerk of the market

A clerk of the market was a person who oversaw a public market. Their responsibilities included:

• Witnessing oral contracts
• Inquiring into weights and measures
• Measuring land
• Settling disputes between people dealing there

For example, if two people made a verbal agreement to trade goods at the market, the clerk of the market would witness the agreement to ensure that both parties upheld their end of the deal. If there was a dispute over the weight or measurement of a product, the clerk of the market would investigate and settle the issue.

However, the office of the clerk of the market has become obsolete due to various statutes regulating weights and measures. Today, there are government agencies and organizations that oversee public markets and ensure fair trade practices.