992. In any action the amount of which does not exceed five hundred dollars and which is not instituted in accordance with this book, the defendant who has been condemned by default to appear or to plead when he would have been permitted to avail himself of article 983 must reimburse the costs of the plaintiff.
The judge may also order that the witnesses be taxed in accordance with article 990.
1971, c. 86, s. 1; 1975, c. 83, s. 80; 1977, c. 73, s. 42.