The Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

Non-appearance of complainantN.I.

26.  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.