Article 638

The procedure before family arbitrators shall, as near as may be, be the same as in a civil Court.

The family arbitrators shall in particular hear the parties: and their evidence respectively and decide according to law unless by the submission they have been exempted from doing so.

Summonses may be issued for the attendance of witnesses who may be sworn: provided that, where a witness fails to appear in answer to the summons, either party may apply to the Court for the issue of a summons according to the provisions in the Civil Procedure Code on taking witness evidence.

When a party, who has been given the opportunity to be heard and produce his evidence, fails to do so, the family arbitrators may give their award in default.