—Failure To Appear at Hearing

before Arbitrator (a) Where a party fails to appear at the hearing, the arbitrator shall nonetheless proceed with the hearing and shall render a decision, which shall be rendered as a judgment by the court. Such judgment may not be opened or set aside unless a motion to open or set aside is filed within four months succeeding the date on which notice was sent. If the judicial authority opens or sets aside the judgment, it may resubmit the action to the arbitrator. Any order opening or setting aside the judgment may be upon condition that the moving party pay to the court an amount not greater than the total fees then payable to the arbitrator for services in the case. (b) If all parties fail to appear at the hearing, the arbitrator shall file a request with the court to dismiss the action. If the judicial authority does not dismiss the action, it may be heard by the arbitrator upon further order of the judicial author- ity. Such order may provide for the payment by any party to the court of an amount not greater than $100. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 546R.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.)