Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995
|
Award of costs by Commission. |
26.—(1) (a) Where, following an investigation by the Commission under section 23 of a complaint referred or made to it under section 22 (other than subsection (4)), the Commission determines that the complaint was frivolous or vexatious or that there has not been a contravention of Part II , III or IV and that there were no reasonable grounds for the complaint, it may order that such amounts (not exceeding £1,500) as it considers appropriate, having regard to all the circumstances, in respect of the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any person before it (including costs and expenses incurred by such a person in respect of legal representation) in relation to the investigation shall be paid to that person by the person who made the complaint. | |
(b) Where, in relation to an investigation under section 23 , amounts are ordered to be paid under paragraph (a) to more than one person, the aggregate of those amounts shall not exceed £1,500. | ||
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Commission may measure the costs and expenses aforesaid. | ||
(3) Any costs or expenses ordered by the Commission under subsection (1) to be paid by a person may be recovered from that person by the person to whom they are ordered to be paid as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction. |