The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 1999

Further provision as to costs

118.—(1) Where upon the trial of an Assembly election petition it appears to the election court—

(a) that a corrupt practice has not been proved to have been committed in relation to an Assembly election by or with the knowledge and consent of a respondent to the petition, and

(b) that the respondent took all reasonable means to prevent corrupt practices being committed on his behalf,

the court may, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), make such order with respect to the whole or part of the costs of the petition as is mentioned in that paragraph.

(2) If it appears to the court that any person or persons is or are proved, whether by providing money or otherwise, to have been extensively engaged in corrupt practices, or to have encouraged or promoted extensive corrupt practices in relation to the Assembly election, the court may, after giving that person or those persons an opportunity of being heard by counsel or solicitor and examining and cross examining witnesses to show cause why the order should not be made—

(a) order the whole or part of the costs to be paid by that person, or those persons or any of them, and

(b) order that if the costs cannot be recovered from one or more of those persons they shall be paid by some other of those persons or by either of the parties to the petition.

(3) Where any person appears to the court to have been guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice, the court may, after giving that person an opportunity of making a statement to show why the order should not be made, order the whole or any part of the costs of or incidental to any proceeding before the court in relation to that offence or to that person to be paid by that person to such person or persons as the court may direct.