Paul Smith's petition, presented on Tynwald Day this year, seeks an inquiry into the lack of a cost-free complaints procedure for appeals against decisions by the legal aid certifying officer.

Father-of-two Mr Smith, 44, of Ashbourne Avenue, Douglas, claims he has been left stressed and £40,000 in debt through his involvement in the family law system.

He had set up his own website divorcedanddivided.com which asks people who have gone through separation and divorce to complete a survey setting out their experiences.

The first hearing is due to take place August 26. The committee is asking the public to submit their comments, concerns and views by August 5.

Tynwald this month approved the recommendations of the committee's earlier inquiry prompted by a Tynwald Day petition of Stephen Broad.

Its report concluded that in the interests of children there should be less litigation and more mediation. It proposed that legal aid should be withdrawn from those who refused to participate in mediation.