ENACTMENT NO. 3 OF 1964 ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIM LAW ENACTMENT, 1963
PART V - PROCEDURE-GENERAL Procedure-Civil
Section 54. Trial and hearing.
(1) Where on the appointed day-
(a)the plaintiff does not appear, the Court may strike out the proceedings;
(b)the defendant does not appear, the Court may upon the plaintiff proving his case give judgment to the plaintiff :
Provided that the Court may in any case order an adjournment, or deal with a counterclaim notwithstanding that a claim has been struck out pursuant to paragraph (a).
(2) If the defendant appears and admits the plaintiff's claim the Court may give judgment without hearing evidence.
(3) If the defendant desires to defend, the party against whom judgment would be given on the pleading and on the admissions made, if no evidence were taken, shall have the right to begin.
(4) Each party may address the Court and may then call his witnesses to give evidence.
Each witness shall be examined by the party calling him and may then be cross-examined by the opposing party. The witness may after he has been cross-examined be re-examined by the party calling him on matters arising out of cross-examination. The Court may put any question to any witness at any time. Any further question may be put, or any witness may be recalled, by leave of the Court.
(5) The Court may call any evidence which it considers necessary:
Provided that no party shall be obliged to give evidence against his will.
(6) The Court shall at the conclusion of the whole case give judgment in open Court, either forthwith or at such later time as the Court may by notice to the parties specify.