(1)  A party may raise any point of law by a pleading.

(2)  A point of law raised by a pleading is to be disposed of at or after the trial.

(3)  With the consent of the parties, or by order of the Court or a judge, a point of law raised by a pleading may be set down for hearing and disposed of before the trial.

(4)  If the decision on a point of law disposes of a whole action or a distinct cause of action within the action, the Court or judge may give judgment on that whole action or distinct cause of action.