Angry Fathers Stage Demonstration

Fathers angry at a lack of access to their children yesterday demonstrated outside the home of one of Bristol's most prominent lawyers. David Burrows, who is chairman of the national Solicitors Family Law Association (SFLA), came out to speak to the protesters after 30 people wearing bio-hazard overalls surrounded his Redland home at about 5pm.

The quiet suburban street was sealed off with yellow hazard tape as protesters from across the country set off air raid sirens and handed out leaflets.

The demo was organised by a group called Fathers-4-Justice, and was the culmination of the organisation's AGM, which was held in the city.

Stunned neighbours came out of their homes to see a clearly shocked Mr Burrows talking to the angry crowd face-to-face.

At one stage the police were called but after speaking to both sides the protest ended peacefully after about 60 minutes.

One of the organisers Glenn Poole, 33, who had travelled all the way from Hackney, in London, said they had chosen Mr Burrows' house to make the most impact.

He said: "The organisation he chairs has 5,000 solicitors and we want to make a statement in order to change the way things are run."

He banged on the solicitor's door until he answered and asked him why the courts seemed to be in favour of mothers.

Mr Poole, who has a six-year-old daughter, claimed that fathers often felt left out of their children's lives by court rulings.

He said that every day 100 children lose partial or total contact with their fathers because of proceedings in the family courts.

Mr Burrows admitted there was an "unfairness within the system" and added: "Contact orders should be enforced by courts and there isn't enough being done to do this."

Mr Poole said the legal system was more about making money than helping sort out custody disputes - a claim denied by Mr Burrows, who has a law practice in Park Street, Bristol.

He alleged: "I've seen some solicitors actively encourage and wind up their clients to continue the case because that means more money.

"They aren't out to help parents or their children, just to keep the case going as long as possible."

Mr Burrows refuted the suggestion and said: "I provide advice as a solicitor but ultimately I am there to take instruction from my clients, not to tell them what to do.

"If people feel as though they are being directed then they should refer them back to me."

The demonstrators decided to dress up in protective overalls because they claimed the group Mr Burrows chaired could "pose (a) health hazard to your family".

Mr Burrows said: "I have been chairman of the SFLA since March but have been a solicitor in family law for more than 30 years.

"Members of the SFLA believe it is important to settle family cases and help people in these situations.

"I understand people reach a point where they feel frustrated and want to make a point, and take extreme measures. I understand why."