(1)Where—
(a)intimation of the diet appointed for the hearing of the appeal has been made to the appellant;
(b)no appearance is made by or on behalf of an appellant at the diet; and
(c)no case or argument in writing has been timeously lodged,
the High Court shall dispose of the appeal as if it had been abandoned.
(2)The power of the High Court to pass any sentence under this Part of this Act may be exercised notwithstanding that the appellant (or, where the Lord Advocate is the appellant, the convicted person) is for any reason not present.
(3)When the High Court has heard and dealt with any application under this Part of this Act, the Clerk of Justiciary shall (unless it appears to him unnecessary so to do) give to the applicant if he is in custody and has not been present at the hearing of such application notice of the decision of the court in relation to the said application.
(4)On the final determination of any appeal under this Part of this Act or of any matter under section 103(5) of this Act, the Clerk of Justiciary shall give notice of such determination—
(a)to the appellant or applicant if he is in custody and has not been present at such final determination;
(b)to the clerk of the court in which the conviction took place; and
(c)to the Secretary of State.