(a) Time. The trial date shall be set by the court at the pretrial conference.
(b) Determination. Issues shall be settled and motions determined summarily.
(c) Pretrial. The pretrial conference should narrow contested factual issues. The case may proceed to trial with the consent of both parties.
(d) Settlement. At any time before judgment, the judge shall make an effort to assist the parties in settling the controversy by conciliation or compromise.
(e) Unrepresented Parties. In an effort to further the proceedings and in the interest of securing substantial justice, the court shall assist any party not represented by an attorney on:
(1) courtroom decorum;
(2) order of presentation of material evidence; and
(3) handling private information.
The court may not instruct any party not represented by an attorney on accepted rules of law. The court shall not act as an advocate for a party.
(f) How Conducted. The trial may be conducted informally but with decorum befitting a court of justice. The rules of evidence applicable to trial of civil actions apply but are to be liberally construed. At the discretion of the court, testimony of any party or witness may be presented over the telephone. Additionally, at the discretion of the court an attorney may represent a party or witness over the telephone without being physically present before the court. Any witness utilizing the privilege of testimony by telephone as permitted in this rule shall be treated for all purposes as a live witness, and shall not receive any relaxation of evidentiary rules or other special allowance. A witness may not testify over the telephone in order to avoid either the application of Florida’s perjury laws or the rules of evidence.