Men say testing rules not enough 

New rules aimed at making it easier to settle paternity disputes are under fire from men's groups who say that they do not go far enough.

The government says some barriers will be removed on Friday for men wanting to either prove or disprove that they are the father of a child - the courts will be able to recommend a simple DNA swab.

Under the new rules, however, one parent will still be given the right veto the test.

It took paternity campaigner Gordon Dowler nearly 20 years to prove he was not the father of a child because the mother refused to allow tests.

"I think everybody should be able to go to the doctor or the clinic to get a swab," says Dowler.

"You're convicted without a trial at the moment," he says.

Under the new rules, parents wanting tests will now be able to apply go to the family court, not just the high court.

"Two advantages to that: less cost and more family courts around the country," says the Associate Justice Minister Marian Hobbs.

Critics say that is not the point.

"I suppose it is an improvement, but the mother is still a gate keeper and can still refuse," says Jim Bagnell of the Union of Fathers.

While the courts can recommend a test, if one partner objects, they cannot force an adult to be tested.

When a child is involved, a parent's right to object can only be overruled as a last resort.

The Law Commission says it wants to give courts more power to order DNA tests.

If the government does accept the Law Commission's argument, it will take another set of laws to make it simpler for paternity testing.