Alan Langleben appears to have misread my earlier letter.

I entirely approve of mediation as a means to dispose of cases efficiently and economically - indeed, my firm is closely involved with mediation companies in the region, and actively promotes alternative dispute resolution to our clients.

My criticism was in relation to the court’s approach to mediation, where the district judge in that particular case made it very clear that he required the case to be ‘mediated’, but suggested that this should be on the basis of a 50% settlement, without any justification.

I agree with Mr Langleben that we all need to keep an open mind with regard to ADR - but has anyone told Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service?

Edward Foster, senior partner, Fosters Law, Herne Bay