Accredited paternity testing list updated

There has been an update to the list of accredited bodies approved by the Ministry of Justice to carry out court-directed tests for parentage.

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.