{"id":1854,"date":"2025-07-17T16:28:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T15:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infolaw.co.uk\/partners\/?p=1854"},"modified":"2025-07-17T16:28:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T15:28:23","slug":"unresolved-paternity-a-barrier-to-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.infolaw.co.uk\/partners\/unresolved-paternity-a-barrier-to-progress\/","title":{"rendered":"Unresolved paternity: a barrier to progress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Casey Randall, Director of Genetics at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the benefits of Non-invasive Prenatal Paternity testing for Family Court.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uncertainty surrounding a child\u2019s paternity can cause significant complications in Family Court proceedings. In cases involving safeguarding, child maintenance, or parental responsibility, the absence of clear paternity can delay critical decisions, complicate care planning, and heighten tensions between parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst standard paternity DNA tests are now well understood and frequently used in the legal sector, many legal professionals are still not aware that paternity disputes can also be resolved even before the child is born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to developments in DNA testing, Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity testing (NIPP) offers a safe, scientifically-robust solution for determining paternity during pregnancy, with no risk whatsoever to the mother or unborn child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is NIPP testing and how does it work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

NIPP testing allows paternity to be established from as early as 7 weeks into pregnancy, with only a blood sample and cheek (buccal) swabs from the mother required, along with cheek swabs from the alleged father(s).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expert geneticists extract the baby\u2019s DNA profile from foetal DNA found in the mother\u2019s bloodstream and compare this with the DNA profile of the alleged father. The biological father will share DNA with the baby at every tested marker. If the tested man is not the biological father, this will not be the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike invasive forms of prenatal paternity testing which require cells to be obtained from either the amniotic fluid or the placenta \u2013 carrying a small risk of miscarriage \u2013 NIPP testing is 100% risk free for mother and baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AlphaBiolabs\u2019 NIPP test is the most advanced available. We are also the only UK DNA testing laboratory to hold UKAS ISO 17025 accreditation for prenatal paternity testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When NIPP testing should be considered<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Establishing paternity during pregnancy offers clear advantages for family law professionals, social workers and local authorities involved in complex or time-sensitive family law matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where paternity is in doubt, timely resolution can reduce conflict, accelerate proceedings, and ensure the welfare of the unborn child is prioritised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NIPP testing is particularly beneficial in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n