Where is the research evidence for mediation?, asks Michael Robinson.

Well, in March 2007 the National Audit Office found that, on average, a mediated case takes 110 days to resolve and costs £752, compared with 435 days and £1,682 in cases where mediation is not used.

In the sample of cases it reviewed, the NAO found that over 95% of cases settled through mediation were resolved within nine months and all within 12 months.

However, only 70% of cases completed by non-mediation routes were settled within 18 months.

The more general point I would like to address is the myth that mediators claim to have all the answers because, of course, they do not.

Mediators, just like lawyers, know that families have a variety of needs and whether litigation, mediation or collaborative law is the best remedy for them will depend on their circumstances.

A good mediator understands this and actively screens out cases that are not suitable.

The Ministry of Justice’s encouragement to couples to consider alternatives to litigation to resolve their disputes is a good thing.

Its decision to slash legal aid, however, is not, and the juxtaposition of these two policy decisions is unfortunate.

A useful starting point in the grown-up debate suggested by Mr Robinson is to differentiate between the realistic claims made by mediators and the claims implied by politicians that mediation is a universal panacea.

Bernadette Davis, Family mediator, Berkshire Family Mediation, Reading