370. The judge must allow the parties to be heard before rendering any decision on an appeal, and for that purpose give them, in the manner he considers proper, at least five clear days’ notice specifying the date, time and place where they may be heard.
If a party so convened fails to appear or refuses to be heard at the sitting held for that purpose, or at any adjournment of that sitting, the judge may nevertheless proceed with the hearing of the matter and no judicial recourse shall be based on the fact that he so proceeded in the absence of that party.