509.380. All motions may be heard and other acts orproceedings, except trials upon the merits, may be done orconducted by a judge in chambers, without the attendance of theclerk or other court officials and at any place either within orwithout the county; but no hearing, other than one ex parte,shall be conducted outside the county without the consent of allparties affected thereby.
(L. 1943 p. 353 ยง 70)