On the trial of a civil cause, in its discretion, upon the application of either party, the Superior Court may order the witnesses of the adverse party examined separately and apart from each other. (Amended 1965, No. 194, § 10, eff. July 1, 1965, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 70.)