RULE 5.4                                               
                ABSENCE OF PARTY AT HEARING                                      
                                                                                 
    The arbitration hearing may proceed, and an award may be made, in the        
absence of any party who after due notice fails to participate or to obtain      
a continuance. If a defendant is absent, the arbitrator shall require the        
plaintiff to submit the evidence required for the making of an award. In a       
case involving more than one defendant, the absence of a defendant does not      
preclude the arbitrator from assessing as part of the award damages against      
the defendant or defendants who are absent. The arbitrator, for good cause       
shown, may allow an absent party an opportunity to appear at a subsequent        
hearing before making an award. A party who fails to participate without         
good cause waives the right to a trial de novo.