Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

400.   Determination of salvage disputes

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    (1)   A dispute as to the amount of salvage, whether of life or property and whether the services for which it has been claimed were rendered within or outside Saint Lucia arising between the salvor and the owner of any vessel, aircraft, cargo, apparel or wreck shall, if not settled by agreement, arbitration or otherwise, be determined summarily by a magistrate in any case where—

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      (a)     the parties to the dispute consent;

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      (b)     the value of the property saved does not exceed $10,000; or

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      (c)     the amount claimed does not exceed $5,000.

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    (2)   Subject to subsection (1) any dispute as to salvage shall be determined by the High Court, but if the claimant does not recover in the High Court more than $20,000, he or she shall not be entitled to recover any costs, charges or expenses incurred by him or her in the prosecution of his or her claim unless the court certifies that the case is a fit one to be tried by the High Court.

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    (3)   A dispute relating to salvage may be determined on the application either of the salvor or of the owner of the property salved, or of their respective agents.

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    (4)   The court or the arbitrators to whom a dispute as to salvage is referred for determination, may, for the purpose of determining any such dispute, call to their assistance as an assessor any person knowledgeable in maritime affairs; and there shall be paid as part of the costs of the proceedings to every such assessor in respect of his or her services such sum as may be prescribed.