8.9.—(1) In any action which includes a claim for payment of money, the sheriff may–
(a)of his own accord; or
(b)on the incidental application of any party,
order that proof on liability or any specified issue be heard separately from proof on any other issue and determine the order in which the proofs shall be heard.
(2) The sheriff shall pronounce such interlocutor as he thinks fit at the conclusion of the first proof of any action ordered to be heard in separate parts under paragraph (1).