(1) An applicant who institutes civil proceedings in an eligible court must file a genuine steps statement at the time of filing the application.
(2) A genuine steps statement filed under subsection ( 1) must specify:
(a) the steps that have been taken to try to resolve the issues in dispute between the applicant and the respondent in the proceedings; or
(b) the reasons why no such steps were taken, which may relate to, but are not limited to the following:
(i) the urgency of the proceedings;
(ii) whether, and the extent to which, the safety or security of any person or property would have been compromised by taking such steps.
(3) A genuine steps statement need not be filed under subsection ( 1) in relation to proceedings that are wholly excluded proceedings.
(4) A genuine steps statement must be filed under subsection
( 1) in relation to proceedings that are in part excluded proceedings,
but the statement need not relate to the parts of the proceedings that are
excluded proceedings.