Suzanne Lowe is right. Clients appreciate a swift and cheaper resolution of their dispute, in a process in which they are not just involved, but in command.

I recall how delighted a middle-aged professional man was to have his fee claim entirely agreed and concluded within three months of instructing me on its recovery. How often in litigation, even after a win, is the client delighted?

As a mediator with 11 years’ experience, I have often experienced the sense of relief evident in both rooms that a dispute has at last been settled; sometimes the parties have just burst into tears (and I normally mediate property disputes!). On at least two occasions, a lady hugged me at the end of the case – an occupational hazard for mediators, but bearable.

As more and more mediators are accredited, there is plenty of capacity for mediation to increase, benefiting clients, solicitors and mediators - a ‘win, win, win’ situation, you might say.

Alan Langleben, Rochman Landau, London W1