MOTHERS win custody of their children in four out of five disputes determined by the courts.

A gender bias undeniably exists within our legal processes, denying fathers sufficient access to their children.

There are serious flaws in legislation that gives fathers no right to see their children, only a right to apply to a court for permission to see them.

This leads to the unjust state of affairs where fathers are forced to support children even when mothers are not being forced to allow those fathers access.

There are good reasons why such circumstances prevail. Courts are rightly reluctant to jail or impose fines on mothers with children to look after to get them to adhere to access agreements.

However, it is clear there is a need to re-examine legislation and procedures to give fathers improved custody and access rights.

The growing support for such reforms has much to do with the activities of Fathers 4 Justice.

Frustrated by the slow pace of reform, the group has resorted to stunts and protests, the latest of which involved the storming of York Minster yesterday.

Fathers 4 Justice has succeeded in voicing grievances about the family courts and won widespread sympathy for the plight of its members.

Having won such a level of support, the group must now use it to its advantage to persuade ministers to change the law.

It must consider terminating its campaign of protests in favour of lobbying.

If it is to succeed in its aims, Fathers 4 Justice must avoid reaching the point where it is better known for its tactics than its underlying cause.