Disgruntled parents need to help create legislation to protect their rights, according to a father's rights organisation leader.

Eddie Fisher co-founded ChildWatch about ten years ago to protest the alleged preferential treatment women are given in family courts.

The group has shifted from a focus on father's rights to that of the welfare of children and the family, which is why Mr. Fisher is so excited about the recent invitation to participate in legislative reforms.

In an ad in yesterday's paper, the Law Reform Committee invited the public to make submissions on Family Law Reforms because they will be working on changing the current legislation.

A subcommittee has been formed to examine proposals and to suggest any improvements or alterations to areas such as the Matrimonial Causes Act 1974.

Suggestions can also be given on introducing mandatory mediation in family law and accreditation and training for mediators, which is what Mr. Fisher said his group has been calling for.

"The way families break up and the way in which it is dealt with sets the tone for the rest of the family's life," he said. "We are excited that this has come to fruition.

"It represents to us a new Bermuda. If we get it right, we could be a leading light for the rest of the world."

Chairing the subcommittee is Justice Norma Wade-Miller, who said she welcomes the ChildWatch's enthusiasm and looks forward to what comes from the session.

"The Law Reform Committee invited me to chair a Law Reform subcommittee to look more in-depth at the Family Law Reform," she said. "Since 1974, no changes have been made to the Family Law Legislation and we decided to set up a committee of enquiry to raise the public knowledge in the subject. We are looking forward to what comes from it and to make recommendations."

One of the areas the group will be looking into is an integrated court system, which would include all stakeholders, counsellors and other groups in the decision.

What interests and excites the ChildWatch co-founder is the suggestion of mandatory mediation in family disputes, which he said the group has been pushing for since its inception.

Mediation is already mandatory in countries such as Italy, Denmark and Australia to handle divorces where parental rights are an issue. It would also, according to Mr. Fisher,be healthier for families and would lead to more involvement of fathers in their children's lives.

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