No written pleadings, other than the petition and answers (when ordered), shall be allowed, and the sheriff, magistrate, or justice shall have power to grant diligence in common form to cite witnesses and havers, and in cases under sub-sections (9), (10), and (11) of section sixteen of this Act the sheriff shall take the evidence in like manner as in civil proofs : Provided always, that no decree under this Act against any party shall bar his right to relief against any other party legally liable therein.