20. Application for order for payment of cost of maintenance

If any patient detained in a psychiatric institution under the provisions of this Act has an estate applicable to his or her maintenance, or if any person legally bound to maintain the patient has the means to maintain the patient, the principal officer of the institution may apply to the court for an order for the payment of the cost of maintenance of the patient.

The court is to inquire into the matter in a summary way, and on being satisfied that the patient has an estate applicable to his or her maintenance, or that any person is legally bound to maintain and has the means of maintaining the patient, may make an order for the recovery of the cost of maintenance of the patient, together with the costs of the application, out of the estate or from the person.

An order made by a court under subsection (2) is to be enforced in the same manner and has the same force and effect and is subject to the same appeal as a judgment or order made by that court in a suit in respect of the property or person mentioned in that subsection.