(1) Despite anything in any Act to the contrary, in any case in which the compensation claimed does not exceed $240, and in any case in which the compensation claimed does not exceed $480 and, in the latter case, the parties agree in writing to the settlement of the claim by a magistrate, the amount of the compensation to be paid in any such case shall be determined by a magistrate.
(2) It is lawful for any magistrate upon the application of either party with respect to any question of disputed compensation in either of the cases mentioned in the preceding subsection, to summon the other party to appear before him or her 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 questions incidental to such proceedings shall be governed by any law in Saint Lucia relating to the recovery of claims before a magistrate and all the provisions of any such law shall apply with the necessary modifications to any such proceeding; and
(b) the provisions of sections 16, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 25 apply with such verbal alteration (not affecting the substance) as may be necessary to make the same applicable.
(4) An appeal shall lie against the determination by a magistrate of any question of disputed compensation under this section in like manner as if such determination was given in the exercise of the summary jurisdiction of a magistrate in a civil matter under the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure and for the purposes of such appeal the determination of the magistrate under this section is considered to be a final judgment or order of the magistrate within the meaning of article 909 of the said Code.