17. (1) Where, following an invitation by the court under section 16(1), the parties to the proceedings concerned engage in mediation and subsequently apply to the court to re-enter the proceedings, the mediator shall prepare and submit to the court a written report which shall set out—

(a) where the mediation did not take place, a statement of the reasons as to why it did not take place, or

(b) where the mediation took place—

(i) a statement as to whether or not a mediation settlement has been reached between the parties in respect of the dispute the subject of the proceedings, and

(ii) if a mediation settlement has been reached on all, or some only of the, matters concerning that dispute, a statement of the terms of the mediation settlement.

(2) Except where otherwise agreed or directed by the court, a copy of a report prepared under subsection (1) shall be given to the parties at least 7 days prior to its submission to the court.