If in any proceedings, whether by way of provisional sentence, summary judgment or otherwise, for the recovery of a debt in pursuance of a money lending transaction or a credit transaction or a leasing transaction, the defendant alleges that payment of finance charges is claimed by, or has been made to, the plaintiff at a rate exceeding the maximum annual finance charge rate allowed by this Act, and the defendant requests that the plaintiff be called as a witness to prove his claim, no judgment shall be granted in such proceedings until the court has afforded the defendant or his legal representative an opportunity to examine the plaintiff in regard to his claim unless it appears to such court that such examination is impracticable or that the defendant's allegation is prima facie without foundation.