1. Any person interested in such company as a stockholder, if it be a stock company, or as a policyholder if it be a mutual company, or as a stockholder or a policyholder in its mutual department, at the time originally limited by law or its charter for the termination of its corporate existence who has not assented to or ratified such reorganization and extension and continuance of the corporate existence of such company shall be entitled to appear as a defendant and be heard in said cause.

2. The proceedings in such cause shall, as near as may be, conform to and be governed by the laws regulating practice in civil cases.