Part III

Masters and Seamen

Wages etc.

Power of court to award interest on wages due otherwise than under crew agreement
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In any proceedings by the master of a ship or a person employed in a ship otherwise than under a crew agreement for the recovery of any sum due to him as wages the court, unless it appears to it that the delay in paying the sum was due to—
a
a mistake,
b
a reasonable dispute as to liability,
c
the act or default of the person claiming the amount, or
d
any other cause, not being the wrongful act or default of the persons liable to make the payment or their servants or agents,
may order them to pay, in addition to the sum due, interest on it at the rate of 20 per cent. per annum or such lower rate as the court may specify, for the period beginning seven days after the sum became due and ending when the sum is paid.