At least 14 days before trial, the clerk shall notify the parties of the place and time of the trial, using the form in the appendix to these rules. At the trial, parties, whether or pot represented by an attorney, shall be permitted to put questions to the other party or witness. The court in its discretion may participate freely in the examination of parties and witnesses, may relax the rules of evidence and may receive sworn written or recorded statements of witnesses or parties not present at the trial.
Ala. Small. Claims. R. J