(1) When any action is called for hearing, the Court may-
(a) if neither party appears, strike out the action; or
(b) if the defendant does not appear, subject to formal proof of due service, hear and determine the action in his absence; or
(c) if the plaintiff does not appear, dismiss the action and hear and determine any counterclaim.
(2) The Court shall, before making any judgment on the plaintiff's claim under paragraph (b) or the defendant's counterclaim under paragraph (c) of 'subsection (1) order' the plaintiff or defendant, as the case may be, to take an oath of istizhar.
(3) If there are more than one plaintiff or defendant, and anyone of the parties is present, the Court may hear the action of the one present and determine the action according to subsection (1) and (2) against the parties absent.
(4) The Court may in its discretion in the circumstances referred to in subsections (1) and (3) grant an adjournment.