Regulation of Railways Act, 1873

Differences between railway and canal companies to be referred to Commissioners.

8. Where any difference between railway companies or between canal companies, or between a railway company and a canal company, is, under the provisions of any general or special Act, passed either before or after the passing of this Act, required or authorised to be referred to arbitration, such difference shall at the instance of any company party to the difference and with the consent of the Commissioners be referred to the Commissioners for their decision in lieu of being referred to arbitration: Provided, that the power of compelling a reference to the Commissioners in this section contained shall not apply to any case in which any arbitrator has in any general or special Act been designated by his name or by the name of his office, or in which, a standing arbitrator having been appointed under any general or special Act, the Commissioners are of opinion that the difference in question may more conveniently be referred to him.