JUDGES in family courts will soon be able to use DNA testing to determine a child’s parentage – following a trial project in Somerset.

Justice Minister Simon Hughes announced on Tuesday that DNA testing would be available to England’s family court judges from September.

But the charity National Family Mediation said issues such as paternity should be established before family disputes reach court.

“The Ministry of Justice’s central drive has been to try to keep family disputes out of court wherever possible, so it is puzzling that it now intends to invest money to promote a court-based DNA testing regime when in fact it is possible to establish paternity through a DNA test well before people get anywhere near a courtroom,” said Jane Robey, NFM’s chief executive.

“It is not possible to make any sort of satisfactory settlement following family breakdown if fundamental issues like paternity are left hanging in the air.

“But it makes no sense to wait until a case reaches court – at the very end of a long and costly process – when it is possible to establish paternity or drug and alcohol use much, much sooner.”

Government-funded pilot schemes took place in Taunton and Bristol following anecdotal evidence that courtroom arguments led to delays in divorce cases, particularly where parentage was in question.

The Ministry of Justice said findings from the pilots suggested DNA tests could make judges more confident when making decisions about children and that parents would be more likely to follow the court’s orders.

Mr Hughes said: “I am determined that all cases involving children should be resolved quickly and wherever possible outside court.

“However when they do come to court they should be resolved in a civilised way so that children don’t suffer.

“Unambiguous and conclusive DNA tests will prove parentage and help to end acrimonious and embarrassing court battles.”