16 July 2008
An update to the list of companies accredited to carry out court-directed paternity tests.
Crucial Genetics Limited previously had a laboratory in Glasgow on the list of accredited bodies approved by the Ministry of Justice to carry out court-directed tests for parentage. Its laboratory in Cheshire is now on the list of accredited bodies instead. A further laboratory has also been added, DNA Diagnostics Limited.
Under section 20 of the Family Law Reform Act 1969, in civil proceedings, courts have a statutory power to direct a scientific test to ascertain the parentage of a child (but section 20 directions are not given in every case where parentage is an issue). If the court makes such a 'section 20 direction', they must choose a tester from a list of accredited bodies that we maintain.
Details of how to apply for accreditation, the application form and further background information on court-directed paternity testing are on the HMCS website
List of bodies that may carry out court-directed parentage tests under section 20 of the Family Law Reform Act 1969
| Name | Address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anglia DNA Services Ltd | Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UH | 08454 565365 | 01603 450945 | |
| Barts and The London, Queen Mary University of London | Haematology ICMS, Barts and The London, 4 Newark Street, London, E1 2AT | 020 7882 2274 | 020 7882 2183 | |
| Complement Genomics Ltd. (trading as dadcheck ®) | Unit 128i Bioscience Centre, Business and Innovation Centre, Sunderland, SR5 2TA | 0191 516 6500/6632 | 0191 516 6005 | |
| Crucial Genetics | F1 House, Road 4, Winsford Industrial Estate, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3QN | 0870 88 88 0 88 | 0870 88 88 089 | |
| DNA Diagnostics Ltd | Bioscience Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB | 0845 230 1102 | 0845 230 1103 | |
| LGC Diagnostics Department | LGC Building, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 ONJ | 020 8943 8400 | 020 8943 8401 | |
| Orchid Cellmark Ltd | Blacklands Way, Abingdon Business Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1YX | 01235 528609 | 01235 528141 | |
| The Forensic Science Service Ltd | Sales and Operational Planning Office, Trident Court, 2920 Solihull Parkway, Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham, B37 7YN | 0845 120 7272 | 0121 770 9289 |
Contact us:
Sharon Rowand
Family Relationships Branch 2
Family Law and Justice Division
4th Floor, Selborne House
54-60 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6QW
email 
or telephone Tel: 020 7210 2653, Fax: 020 7210 8681