Our articles are written by experts in their field and include barristers, solicitors, judges, mediators, academics and professionals from a range of related disciplines. Family Law provides a platform for debate for all the important topics, from divorce and care proceedings to transparency and access to justice. If you would like to contribute please email emma.reitano@lexisnexis.co.uk.
Spotlight
Children and Same Sex Families
Children and Same Sex Families
Children and Same Sex Families: A Legal Handbook
More info
Mental Capacity
Mental Capacity
Mental Capacity: Law and Practice
More info
Evidence in Family Proceedings
Evidence in Family Proceedings
Evidence in Family Proceedings
More info
View All

The nuance between forensic probabilities and possibilities – paediatric gonorrhoea and fomite transmission

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All rights reserved.
Date:2 DEC 2025
Third slide

Avaia Williams Barrister Parklane Plowden Chambers

Family judges decide facts on the balance of probabilities: either it happened or it did not. There is no third box labelled “might have”. In cases of paediatric gonorrhoea however courts have at times elevated a theoretical mechanism “fomite” transmission into a decisive alternative.

This article explores why that slip from possibility into probability is concerning what F and B (Fact-Finding: Gonorrhoea) [2025] EWCA Civ 340 teaches about avoiding the trap and how to handle expert evidence that trades in non-binaries within a court system that does not.

The full article has published in the December issue of Family Law.  Find out more or request a free 1-week trial of Family Law journal. Please quote: 100482

Read the full article in Family Law Journal on L+UK® (subject to subscription) here.

Subscribe to Family Law Journal print here.

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis