Procedure in case of dispute between hirer and driver.

(1) In case of any dispute between the hirer and the driver of any hackney carriage, either may require the other to proceed forthwith to the nearest magistrate's court; and the then sitting magistrate shall hear and determine the dispute in a summary way. (2) If no magistrate be then sitting, either party may require the other to proceed to the nearest police officer who shall enter the complaint in his diary and require the parties to appear before the magistrate at his next sitting. (3) On failure of either party to appear before the magistrate in pursuance of a requisition under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) or to attend the court at any subsequent sitting to which the case may be adjourned, the magistrate may decide the case ex parte, and his decision shall be binding on both parties.