Rule 3 . Definitions of words and terms. In these rules, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:

(a) “Case” shall include and apply to any and all actions, proceedings and other court matters, however designated. (b) “Clerk” means the clerk of the justice court. (c) “Court” means the justice court. (d) “Party,” “petitioner,” “applicant,” “claimant,” “plaintiff,” “defendant” or any other designation of a party to any action or proceeding, case or other court matter shall include and apply to such party’s attorney of record. (e) “Person” shall include and apply to corporations, firms, associates and all other entities, as well as natural persons. (f) “Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive. (g) The past, present and future tenses shall each include the others; the masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall each include the others; and the singular and plural numbers shall each include the other. (h) “Paper” shall include all papers and electronic filing.