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Drug and alcohol testing for family and child law. Court-ready evidence for every case.

The decisions made in family law proceedings shape lives, so the evidence informing them must be beyond question. Whether you’re a lawyer working on private family matters or publicly funded child care proceedings, Cansford Labs is here to make the testing side of your case one less thing to worry about.

The detail that proceedings demand

 

A positive or a negative is rarely enough in family law courts. What matters is the pattern, the timeline, and the context behind the result. Our confirmation analysis goes beyond simple detection, producing quantifiable results that show not just whether a substance was present, but how much and over what period. For drugs and alcohol, we can map consumption month by month. For DNA, we can confirm or exclude biological relationships with statistical certainty.

We offer hair strand and nail testing for drugs and alcohol, blood alcohol testing, and DNA relationship testing, and every case is approached individually. Our team will work with you to make sure the right tests are instructed for the questions your case actually needs answered. We work with solicitors across both legal aid funded and private matters, and we are used to moving quickly when proceedings require it.

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Why family law professionals work with Cansford Labs

Speed without compromise

We are the UK’s fastest drug and alcohol testing service, with all results delivered within three working days of receipt at our lab. In proceedings where timelines are tight and every delay has consequences, that is not a small thing.

Making your budget work harder

Our Extended 18 panel tests for double the substances of our Common 9 panel at exactly the same price and with no impact on turnaround time. In cases where broader coverage could prove significant, that is a meaningful difference, and one that does not require a difficult conversation about budget. For situations that need something more tailored, or to meet a court order requirement, bespoke testing is always available.

Collections handled from start to finish

Our collectors are experienced in handling situations where there is reluctance or anxiety, and they are skilled at navigating those moments with patience and professionalism. From arranging the appointment through to keeping you informed of confirmations, cancellations, and anything relevant that arises during the collection itself, we handle the process end to end. You stay in the loop without having to manage the logistics. Collections can be arranged within 48 working hours at a location that suits the donor, including at home.

Testing types for Family Law

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Drug Testing
When you need clarity around drug use, our testing provides answers you can trust. We identify a wide range of substances quickly and accurately, helping you understand patterns of use and make informed choices.
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alcohol testing
We provide rapid, accurate and discreet hair strand and blood testing of alcohol consumption. We are the UK’s only laboratory to offer segmented hair testing.
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DNA Testing
We offer MoJ accredited DNA testing services to individuals and organisations across the UK – with results back in 3–5 days.
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expert report writing

Clear, detailed, and court ready – our expert report writing service provides everything you need to support your case.

Every test we conduct comes with a certificate of analysis, but when you need a more in-depth explanation, our reporting scientists can provide a comprehensive, written, expert report. This includes a formal declaration of results, details on our reporting scientists’ qualifications, and key information about the sample. Following feedback from legal professionals, we’ve designed our reports to ensure they meet the highest standards and usability.
The service was first class and I know my client was very happy with the service from start to finish. It’s no wonder your organisation was recommended.
Sophie Jones, Rosie Bracher solicitors
Thank you – very pleased with the speed of the results. Had issues with other companies with delays so will definitely be using Cansford in the future.
Family Solicitor, London
We’ve used Cansford on numerous cases over the years. The reports are thorough, clearly written, and always stand up to scrutiny in court. Turnaround times are consistently reliable, which matters enormously when proceedings are moving quickly.
Family Law Solicitor, Bristol

Family Law drug & alcohol testing FAQs

Yes. Our reports are prepared to medico-legal standards and are accepted as evidence in family court proceedings. We understand how much is at stake, and our reporting reflects that.

We know family law cases often move quickly. We return all results in 3 working days from the sample reaching the lab as standard.

If a case requires urgent attention, we can liaise with you to move things along as quickly as possible.

Yes, our experts are experienced in providing written statements and, where necessary, appearing as expert witnesses to explain and support our findings in court.

Hair strand drug and alcohol testing are the most frequently requested, as they provide a longer retrospective window that’s highly relevant in care and custody proceedings. We’ll always advise on the most appropriate test for each case.