
Toxicology and Forensic Testing in the Family Courts
In collaboration with DNA Legal, 42BR Barristers is delighted to invite you to an insightful workshop covering essential aspects of testing in family law proceedings.
42BR Barristers' Siân Smith, Vanessa Wells, Sharan Bhachu and Amanda Jepson will be joined by DNA Legal's David Nicholson to discuss key topics.
The event will provide valuable knowledge on best practices, practicalities, and ethical considerations in testing across hair, nails, alcohol, drugs, and ethnicity, as well as enhance your understanding of the legal and practical aspects of testing and how these tests intersect with family law proceedings.
Date: Thursday 27th March 2025
Time: 2pm - 8pm
Seminar Overview
(2pm - 6pm)
Principles of Testing
David Nicholson and Siân Smith will open the session with an overview of everything that you need to know about using scientific testing in court, including: understanding the results, patterns of use, and how to effectively use test results in court. Siân and David will also consider issues of racial discrimination and bias differences of approach in private and public law cases as well as providing practical advice on instructing an expert.
Drug Testing
Vanessa Wells, a children law specialist, will be speaking about the developments in the understanding of drug testing results and in particular Re D (Children: interim care order: hair strand testing) [2024] on the value of hair strand testing against the wider canvas, the need for caution in interpretation of results and movement against the reliance solely on scientific testing regarding drug misuse (Taking a Stand).
Alcohol Testing
Sharan Bhachu is a children law specialist with over 20 years' experience. In this seminar she looks at the developments in both the science and law around toxicology testing for alcohol since Richmond v B et al [2011] 1 FLR 1345 and how this type of evidence is now best utilised in family proceedings.
Ethnicity Testing, DNA/Paternity testing, and other testing
Amanda Jepson is a family lawyer specialising in public law Children Act 1989 proceedings. As Amanda is regularly involved in cases involving relinquished babies, she is particularly interested in the value for life story work of ethnicity testing, and DNA testing. Amanda and David will discuss how the family courts can utilise this science during proceedings.
David Nicholson of DNA Legal will be providing his unique, practical experience on each topic throughout the day.
The seminar will conclude at 6pm, and will be followed by drinks, nibbles and networking.
Please contact us on [email protected] to secure your place.
We look forward to welcoming you to this engaging session!
27th Mar 2025

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