Mines and Minerals Act, 1931

Costs of parties at inquiries by the Board.

37.—(1) If the Board considers it just and equitable having regard to all the circumstances of the case that any person or persons attending on an inquiry under Part IV or Part V of this Act should pay the whole or part of the costs of such inquiry incurred by any other person or persons so attending, they may include in their report to the Minister a recommendation to that effect specifying the person or persons recommended to pay such costs, the amount recommended to be paid by each of such persons respectively, and the person or persons recommended to be paid such amount.

(2) The Minister may on consideration of such recommendation by order direct that any person recommended by the Board to pay costs shall pay such sum of costs as he thinks fit (but not exceeding the amount recommended by the Board to be paid by that person) to the person recommended by the Board to be paid such costs.

(3) A sum directed to be paid by order of the Minister under the preceding sub-section may in default of payment be recovered as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(4) For the purposes of this section costs includes any fees, charges and expenses in connection with an inquiry.