57AProcedure if party not present on hearing date

#### 57A Procedure if party not present on hearing date 57A Procedure if party not present on hearing date > > (1) In this section, party to application proceedings means the person for whose protection the relevant order is sought or the defendant. > > > (2) If one or more parties to application proceedings are not present on the day and at the time and place set for the hearing of the matter (including a day to which the hearing has been adjourned), the court may proceed to hear and determine the matter in the absence of those parties if the court is satisfied that— > > > > > (a) each absent party had reasonable notice of the first return date or the date, time and place of the hearing, and > > > > > (b) it is otherwise in the interests of justice to do so. > > > (3) Before determining the matter, the court must consider the grounds set out in the application notice (if any) and any written statement provided to the court by a police officer. > > **s 57A:** Ins 2016 No 33, Sch 1 \[26\].