Response by M R Law to the proposal by the NHS Litigation Authority to introduce a new mediation service. Robert Barker, head of medical negligence at M R Law: "Anything that speeds up the process, reduces wasted costs and provides patients with an opportunity to resolve their complaints should be welcome... However, there are important factors to keep in mind when considering resolving a complaint relating to poor medical treatment. Most patients will have only basic knowledge about their medical treatment when compared with those they may be facing at the mediation appointment"