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12 March 2009 / Lorraine A Jones
Issue: 7360 / Categories: Features , Public , Family , Human rights
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Family: Establishing paternity

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Lorraine Jones unravels the complexities of paternity testing

Paternity law cases are prevalent in the public law arena and many cases dealing with issues of paternity have been decided by the judges in cases giving us specific guidance on the taking and obtaining of blood tests.

However, increasingly family lawyers are being asked to advise upon issues of paternity not just in public law but also for private individuals. This involves fathers who may wish to establish the paternity of a child where they have doubt that the child may be their own, as well as mothers who do not know who the father is because of multiple relationships, or an opportune meeting or intimacy. Another category which is often not included is the child as an adult.

The search process

It is generally accepted that if a child needs to establish its paternity it can do so with the help of an adult and the appointment of a litigation friend in making an application; in certain cases the official solicitor

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