Section 31. Negotiated settlement of disputes

31. (1) The Rent Authority and the Rent Tribunal shall, in all cases where the respondent enters or is permitted to enter defense against the application, at any time before a negotiated settlement of the dispute between the parties, in appropriate cases, refer them to the appropriate authority under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (Act. no. 39 of 1987). (2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Rent Authority and Rent Tribunal shall follow such procedure as it deems proper to promote a compromise expeditiously. (3) Where there has been a settlement of the case by compromise, the Rent Authority and Rent Tribunal shall record the terms of the compromise and pass final order in those terms.