Section 12-118. Appropriations for contesting office to be made for prevailing party only

An appropriation or payment for the contesting of  the office of mayor or  any  seat  in  the  council  or  office  in  any
  department,  or  the office of any officer whose salary is paid from the
  city treasury,  shall  be  made  only  to  the  prevailing  party.  Such
  appropriations  or  payment  shall  be made to the prevailing party only
  upon the written certificate of  the  corporation  counsel  and  of  the
  presiding  justice  of the appellate division of the first department of
  the supreme court, certifying who is the prevailing party, and the value
  of the services rendered in the case.