PART VCRIMINAL JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE

Summary trial

Non-appearance of complainant26

Where an accused appears at the time and place appointed for the hearing or adjourned hearing of a complaint charging a summary offence the court may, if the complainant (having in the case of a warrant due notice of the accused's arrest) does not appear,—

a

dismiss the complaint; or

b

order it to be struck out; or

c

adjourn or further adjourn the hearing to a future day; or

d

if evidence has been received on a previous occasion, proceed in the absence of the complainant.