190   Time for hearing

(1)  On the first return date for a court attendance notice in any summary proceedings, or at such later time as the court determines, the court must set the date, time and place for hearing and determining the matter.

(2)  The court must notify the accused person of the date, time and place, if the accused person is not present.

(3)  However, if the accused person is not present at the first return date and has not lodged a written plea of not guilty in accordance with section 182, the court may proceed to hear the matter on that day at its discretion.

Note. The powers of a court to adjourn proceedings generally are set out in section 40.