A story in Thursday's paper on the collection of child support incorrectly stated that the collection rate in Bermuda is 82 percent when it is 75 percent. A statement that 3,000 people owed $12 million in arrears was incorrectly attributed to Magistrate Carlisle Greaves when it came from another source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Family Court magistrate Carlisle Greaves has struck back at the suggestion his court is not wrestling with the problem of "deadbeat dads''.

Mr. Greaves, who dislikes the term, told The Royal Gazette it was the court system that was deadbeat.

"They are not deadbeat dads,'' he said in an interview in his courtroom.

"It's unfair to refer to them as deadbeats. In fact strike that term from your newspaper's vocabulary. No man in Bermuda is a deadbeat dad. They responded to what they found. The system was deadbeat.'' Mr. Greaves was reacting to yesterday's front page story that there was almost $8 million outstanding in child support payments.

In his seven months in the Family Court, staff and colleagues have noticed a marked change in how maintenance payments and court hearings are being handled.

This "revolution'' in Family Court was the result of a team effort from the court's clerks, bailiffs, and panelists, Mr. Greaves said.

And he sought all of their input into the court's first annual report which was presented to Chief Justice Austin Ward in January.

The report suggested hiring two full-time Family Court bailiffs to relieve overworked Magistrates' Court bailiffs, in addition to numerous other policies, many of which he has implemented.

"This story is against all that has been going on in here,'' Mr. Greaves said. "I keep very far away from the press. But I am concerned that there is a perception that nothing is being done by the court.'' Mr. Greaves, a former criminal court magistrate and prosecutor in Barbados who was hired as a magistrate here last June, claimed that by the end of 1998, child support arrears exceeded $12 million and were owed by more than 3,000 people.

But since he joined Family Court in October, he has seen child support arrears drop from $500,000 annually to just over $200,000 by the end of 1998.

And he pointed out that the maintenance collection rate has jumped from 64 percent to 82 percent, and promised to push it beyond 90 percent by the time his three-year contract runs out.

"Sixty-four percent is about the average worldwide,'' Mr. Greaves said.

"People around here didn't think I could get it higher. But that is my promise to the Bermudian people. I will get it over 90 percent. And I don't fail.'' The University of the West Indies trained lawyer said everyone who comes before him is treated fairly, and have their rights explained to them in common language.

But no one gets away "scot-free'' as men are expected to pay all that they owe or go to jail, he said.

Family Court panelist and former MP Austin Thomas said of Mr. Greaves and his policies: "I support him 100 percent. Men know that if they do not come up with the money, they go to Westgate (Correctional Facility). Not for nine days, but 90 days!'' The court system was `deadbeat' Mr. Thomas added: "And if at 88 days they still don't have the money, they stay there until they do. All of this was provided for in the law. It was just never done.'' Mr. Thomas said he respected Mr. Greaves negotiation and mediation skills and said everyone before him understood that children must not suffer.

"He has brought great fairness to the courts,'' Mr. Thomas continued. "It was called the `women's court' by men. That has changed!'' Mr. Thomas is pleased by Mr. Greaves' insistence there was no such thing as an illegitimate child -- despite the Affiliation Act.

Another panelist -- who asked not to be named -- said: "He will give you the opportunity to get the money or call your family from the Police lock-up. He will always resolve it in favour of the child.'' Anyone who owes child support must present the money, sell some of their luxuries and assets to pay the bill or go to prison.

The man added: "He doesn't take $10 a week like before. You must pay what you owe. He has turned that court around.'' The women who come before Mr. Greaves must also keep up their end by allowing access for visitation.

Maintenance payments and visitation are tied and Mr. Greaves will withhold payment if the woman denies access to children if the man is paid up.

"Bermuda is about to lead the world in the area of maintenance and child support,'' Mr. Greaves said. "Bermuda is going to be famous for more than just Bermuda Shorts!'' More men reportedly feel more comfortable approaching the bench, requesting changes in the amount of their maintenance payments because Mr. Greaves believes that men should be able to change them -- but within reason.

He said many men did not seem to know they could vary their payments and then ran up huge debts while out of work, or ill, or in prison.

"We take the time to explain it all to them,'' Mr. Greaves said. "Very, very few people leave here unhappy. We don't get what we used to get with all the violence and shouting. A great calm has come around here.

"Now there are no more lame duck excuses,'' Mr. Greaves said. "They were literally getting away with murder.

"We now give them an hour per case,'' he added. "We thrash it out and they leave happy that it has been fair.'' I do not fail: Carlisle Greaves