(a) Statement of Claim. The statement of claim shall contain (1) a short and plain statement of facts showing that the plaintiff is entitled to relief and (2) a request for judgment for the relief which the plaintiff seeks. (b) Defenses. The defendant is not required to file a responsive pleading but may file such a pleading at any time up to the time of hearing. If no responsive pleading is filed, all facts in the statement of claim shall be taken as denied and any matter in defense may be offered at the hearing. Any responsive pleading may admit certain facts and deny others and may set forth defenses such as fraud, payment, or release in short and plain terms. (c) Construction of Pleadings; Amendment. The statement of claim and any responsive pleading filed shall be so construed as to do substantial justice and may be amended at any time by order of court to conform to the evidence. (d) Joinder of Claims. So long as the total amount claimed, exclusive of interest and costs, does not exceed the statutory amount a plaintiff may join in a single statement of claim one or more separate small claims against defendant. (e) Joinder of Parties. Persons may join as plaintiffs or be joined as defendants in one small claims action if the claims asserted by or against each arise out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences and if any question of law or fact common to all of these persons will arise in the action. Me. R. Small. Claims. P. 3