(a) Recording. Any hearing for which one of the parties has requested a recording shall be recorded as provided in Rule 76H of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. The request for recording may be made at the time of the hearing. (b) Evidence. The rules of evidence, other than those with respect to privileges, shall not apply. The court may receive any oral or documentary evidence, not privileged, but may exclude any irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence. The court shall assist in developing all relevant facts. The hearing shall be conducted in a manner designed to provide the parties with full opportunity to present their claims and defenses. (c) Consolidation; Separate Hearings. (1) Consolidation. When small claims actions involving a common question of law or fact are pending either in the same division or different divisions, the court may order a joint hearing of any or all the matters in issue in the actions; it may order all the actions consolidated; and it may make such orders concerning proceedings therein as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs or delay. (2) Separate Hearings. The court in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice may order a separate hearing of any small claim or of any separate issue, or of any number of claims or issues. (3) Convenience and Justice. In making any order under this rule, the court shall give due regard to the convenience of parties and witnesses and the interests of justice. Me. R. Small. Claims. P. 6