Procedure where claim for compensation does not exceed certain amount

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any Act to the contrary, in any case in which the compensation claimed does not exceed five thousand dollars, the amount of the compensation to be paid in such case shall be determined by a magistrate. (2) The magistrate may, upon the application of either party with respect to any question of disputed compensation in either of the cases mentioned in subsection (1) of this section, summon the other party to appear before him at a time and place to be named in such summons and to hear and determine such question of disputed compensation. (3) For the purposes of any proceeding under this section, (a) the procedure to be followed thereat, the summoning and remuneration of witnesses and all incidental to such proceeding shall be governed by any law for the time being in force in Belize relating to the recovery of claims before a magistrate and all the provisions of any such law shall mutatis mutandis to any such proceeding; and (b) sections 16, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 25 of this Act, shall apply with such verbal alteration, not affecting the substance, as may be necessary to make them applicable. (4) The determination by the magistrate under this section may be enforced in the same manner as a final judgment or order of the magistrate within the meaning of section 25 of the District Courts (Procedure) Act, Cap. 97. (5) An appeal shall lie against the determination by the magistrate of any question of disputed compensation under this section in like manner as if such determination was given in the exercise of his jurisdiction under the District Courts (Procedure) Act, Cap. 97, and for the purposes of such appeal, the determination of the magistrate under this section shall be deemed to be a final judgment or order of the magistrate within the meaning of section 25 of the District Courts (Procedure) Act, Cap. 97.