law: Indian Ports Act, 1908
  57. Ascertainment and recovery of expenses and damages
  
  payable under this Act 
  (1) If any dispute arises as to the sum to be paid in any case
  
  as expenses or damages under this Act, it shall be determined by a Magistrate
  
  upon application made to him for that purpose by either of the disputing parties.
  
  
  (2) Whenever any person is liable to pay any sum, not exceeding
  
  one thousand rupees, as expenses or damages under this Act, any Magistrate,
  
  upon application made to him by the authority to whom the sum is payable, may,
  
  in addition to or instead of any other means for enforcing payment, recover the
  
  sum as if it were a fine.