Hearing
21.—(1)  If, at the time appointed for the hearing, the plaintiff does not appear, the action or proceedings may be struck out; if the defendant does not appear at the time appointed for the hearing, the plaintiff may prove his case and the Court may give judgment:
Provided that —
(a)in any such case the Court may in its discretion order an adjournment and where necessary order the defendant to be called as a witness; and
(b)the Court may deal with a counterclaim although the claim is struck out.
(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 pleadings and admissions made, if no evidence were taken, shall have the right to begin.
(4)  Each party may address the Court and may then give evidence and call his witness who shall be examined and may be cross-examined, re-examined and questioned by the Court in the manner provided in the Evidence Act [Cap. 97].
(5)  Subject to section 46 of the Act and to rule 27, the evidence of the parties and of the witnesses shall be given viva voce in the open Court.
(6)  The Court shall take a note of the evidence, stating the terms of any particular question or answer if there appears to be any special reason for doing so, and may record in the notes of evidence such remarks as it thinks material respecting the demeanour of any witness while under examination.
(7)  The Court may call any evidence which it considers necessary.
(8)  Thereafter the Court shall give judgment in open Court either at once or at a later time of which notice shall be given to the parties.