Any witness may refuse to testify until his fees are paid by the party summoning him, and the arbitrators may refuse to deliver copies of the award until all charges are paid; but if paid by a party not liable therefor, he may recover the same by action before any court having jurisdiction thereof, and the receipt of the arbitrators is presumptive evidence of the fact of payment and of the liability of the party therefor.
Ala. Code § 6-6-11 (1975)