The hearing
The hearing is an informal process. The judge will decide on how the hearing will be conducted.
The judge can limit the amount of time that each party has to present their case and to question witnesses or each other.
The 'small claims' hearing is a 'public' hearing. It is open to members of the public to attend. A case will usually be heard in the judge's room but can be heard in a court room. Under certain circumstances a judge can decide that a case should be heard in private.
If you are not using a Solicitor, you can still get someone else to speak on your behalf. This person is known as a 'lay representative'. It is preferable that the 'lay representative' isn't also a witness.