Section 140

Except as otherwise provided in this Act in all cases where compensation, damages, costs or expenses are by this Act directed to be paid, the amount and, if necessary, the apportionment of the same and any question of liability shall, in case of dispute be summarily ascertained and determined by a Magistrate’s Court or, if the compensation claimed exceeds $2,000, by a District Court.

If the amount of compensation, damages, costs or expenses is not paid by the party liable to pay the same within 7 days after demand, that amount may be reported to a Magistrate’s Court and recovered in the same way as if it were a fine imposed by a Magistrate’s Court.

An appeal shall lie to the High Court from any decision of a Magistrate’s Court or District Court under this section, and the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code [Cap. 68] shall mutatis mutandis apply to all such appeals.[122