The proceedings for the issue of a warrant of distress under this Part of this Act may be instituted by making complaint before a justice of the peace and applying for a summons requiring the person named in the complaint to appear before a magistrates' court to show why he has not paid the rate specified in the complaint.
The forms of complaint and summons in Schedule 12 to this Act, or forms to the like effect, may be used in proceedings under this Part of this Act.
If the person summoned fails to appear in obedience to the summons and it is proved to the magistrates' court on oath, or in such other manner as may be prescribed by rules under section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949, that the summons was duly served a reasonable time before the time appointed by the summons for his appearance, the magistrates' court may, if it thinks fit, proceed in his absence as if he had appeared in person in obedience to the summons.