O.C.G.A. § 9-9-47: Effects of failure to state facts supporting claim, failure to put forward statement of defense, or failure to appear at hearing or to produce documentary evidence.

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if, without showing sufficient cause:

(1) The claimant fails to communicate his or her statement of claim in accordance with subsection (a) of Code Section 9-9-45, the arbitration tribunal shall terminate the proceedings;

(2) The respondent fails to communicate his or her statement of defense in accordance with subsection (a) of Code Section 9-9-45, the arbitration tribunal shall continue the proceedings without treating such failure in itself as an admission of the claimant’s allegations; and

(3) Any party fails to appear at a hearing or to produce documentary evidence, the arbitration tribunal may continue the proceedings and make the arbitration award on the evidence before it.