Chapter 97
Costs
Costs shall include only the actual expenses of a trial and they shall be paid by the Grand Lodge unless the Trial Commission hearing the case shall determine that for special reasons, such as dilatory and noncooperative conduct, that the expenses of such trial should be paid in whole or in part by either party.
1. The Trial Commission shall include in its decision an order taxing the costs to either party or the Grand Lodge.
2. A decision taxing the costs to a party shall set forth the time in which it shall be paid which shall be a part of the judgment in the case until amended or revoked on appeal. [95-3.4].
3. If the decision taxes the costs or any part thereof to the Grand Lodge, the Grand Treasurer shall honor any voucher or draft therefor when it has been approved by the Judge Advocate.
REG. 97-2 FAILURE OF A PARTY TO PAY.
When a Trial Commission imposes upon either party to a trial the payment of any costs and they have not been paid within thirty days, the Judge Advocate may order that the same, or any part thereof, be paid by the Grand Lodge. The payment by the Grand Lodge shall not relieve the party against whom it was awarded, and his continued refusal to reimburse the Grand Lodge shall be punished as a Masonic offense.
No fees or compensation shall be paid to witnesses who are Masons to attend and give evidence in a trial. It is their duty so to do at the time and place fixed as provided in THE CODE. As to profane who may be witnesses, each party shall procure his evidence as best he can, the expense thereof he himself must bear.
REG. 97-4 COMPENSATION OF COMMISSIONERS.
The compensation of the trial commissioners shall not exceed five dollars per day plus their actual expense.