CPC – Costs – Non payment of – Suit cannot be dismissed for non-payment of costs can only result in forfeiture of the right to further prosecute the suit or defence. [PLRonline 483650]

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Under the guidelines of the Civil Procedure Code, a lawsuit cannot be dismissed solely due to non-payment of costs. Instead, if these costs aren't paid, the individual forfeits their right to continue prosecuting the case or presenting a defense, depending on their role in the suit.

The court has the option to assign costs as an alternative to closing the cross-examination and ending the evidence of a witness. If a party seeks an adjournment to cross-examine a witness but fails to pay the associated costs, the proper response from the court is to end the cross-examination of that witness. Furthermore, the court can prohibit the party who failed to pay from continuing to prosecute the lawsuit or present their defense.