Section 252.— No costs shall be levied in criminal cases by the Courts of Justice except as provided in this Chapter.

Section 253.— In a case prosecuted by the Public Prosecutor involving an application for the restitution of property or payment of its value under Section 43, or an application by the injured person requesting that the accused be ordered to pay compensation, no court fees shall be collected.

However, where the Court finds that the injured person has claimed excessive compensation or has conducted the proceedings dishonestly, the Court may order the injured person to pay all or part of the fees within a period fixed by the Court. If the injured person fails to comply with the order, the civil part of the case shall be deemed abandoned.

Where the Court has issued a judgment or order for the restitution of property, payment of its value or payment of compensation under paragraph one, and further action is required to enforce the judgment or order, the person entitled to receive the property, its value or the compensation shall pay the applicable fees in the same manner as in a civil case.

Section 254.— Subject to Section 253, paragraph one, where the injured person claims the restitution of property, payment of its value or compensation in connection with a criminal prosecution or in a separate civil case, fees shall be collected in the same manner as in a civil case.

Where the injured person acting as prosecutor wishes to apply for exemption from court fees before the Court of First Instance, Appeal Court or Dika Court, the application shall be submitted to the Court of First Instance in which the case was instituted, together with the complaint, appeal or Dika appeal, as applicable.

Where the Court of First Instance considers that the criminal case is well-founded, the compensation claimed is not excessive and the proceedings have been conducted honestly, it shall grant the application.

Where the Court grants only a partial exemption from court fees or dismisses the application, it shall fix a period within which the prosecutor must pay the required fees.

An order of the Court of First Instance granting an exemption from court fees or dismissing the application shall apply throughout the proceedings until the case becomes final. However, where the circumstances of the case change, the Court trying the case may revise or amend the order as it considers appropriate.

No appeal or Dika appeal may be lodged against an order issued by the Court under paragraph two.

Section 255.— In cases provided for under Section 253, paragraph two, and Section 254, the Court may, upon application, order the unsuccessful party to reimburse the other party’s costs.

Section 256.— The Court shall pay the necessary and reasonable travelling expenses, allowances and accommodation expenses of a witness who appears before the Court pursuant to a summons, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the Courts of Justice with the approval of the Ministry of Finance.

A witness who has received travelling expenses, allowances or accommodation expenses under another law shall not be entitled to receive the same expenses again under this Section.

Section 258.— The provisions of the Civil Procedure Code concerning costs shall apply with the necessary modifications.