Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler is urging arguing couples to use mediation to clear up custody disputes rather than go the legal route. Last year he said the Family Court referred nearly 200 cases to mediation and he hoped this figure would rise after noting that fathers were frustrated with the court system.

He said: “There is a perception that the system is heavily biased against men and that mothers are always favoured by the courts.

“It is my view that the frustration experienced by some men is the result of a lack of understanding about the legal system. Some fathers have not understood the procedures that are followed in the Family Court and they haven’t been aware of their rights in that court.”

Mr. Butler said the whole issue of fathers rights had been looked at in an extensive report completed by Rodney Smith which he is now reviewing with a view to submitting to Cabinet.

And he said a fathers forum will be held at the Bermuda Industrial Union HQ on June 7 to look at the report.

Staff from Child and Family Services will be on hand to run discussion groups.