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Fear of the collection and test process is a common factor among clients, especially among vulnerable adults in complex family law cases. Cansford Laboratories shares some tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible
‘We, as family lawyers, represent people who are at a crossroad in their life. Often a lot hangs in the balance and it is usually among the most stressful times in a person’s life,’ says associate family lawyer Antony Wilkinson from Southgate Solicitors. ‘Clarity of communication at this time will not only help clients understand the process and alleviate stress but it may also help keep cases on track. Every client is different, and it is important to quickly establish the most effective methods of communication to help best support them – be it in person, written communication or over the phone.’
‘Working with clients when a case relies on external elements which are difficult to understand, such as a drug and alcohol test result, have added communication challenges,’ he adds.
‘Many thousands of drug and alcohol tests are instructed by courts every year in support of divorce or child custody cases. For many cases where a test is required, clients are at their most vulnerable and so clear and concise communication is imperative to ensure the client is put at ease, understands the process, understands the results and ultimately that the case is kept on track.’
Antony, who specialises in public law matters providing advice and assistance in care proceedings, child protection, child arrangement orders and injunctions, continues: ‘Most family lawyers will have experienced a client not showing up for a drug or alcohol test appointment in their time. I have heard a range of reasons for no-shows in the past – religion, vanity, or that a client simply feels they have given enough samples over a course of time – but the fear of the collection and test process is a factor we hear all too often.
‘A no-show can throw cases off course and delay proceedings but refusing a drug or alcohol test completely can have potentially catastrophic implications for families. While the vast majority of clients want to prove that they have kept clean from drugs or alcohol, those who do refuse a test put themselves in a precarious position. Courts can draw an adverse inference where a test has not been carried out, which could ultimately mean that children will be removed from families due to this lack of cooperation.’
‘We do all we can to communicate what clients can expect when a sample is collected and sent off and to ensure clients feel comfortable. We also rely on the testing laboratories to make appointments quickly as time is of the essence with drug and alcohol testing. The quicker a laboratory can collect a client’s sample, the better.’
Antony offers the following tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible:
More broadly, understanding your clients, listening to them intently and working out the best communication methods for those individuals will lead to better client care and a more intuitive working relationship with fewer bumps along the road.
From our laboratory in Cardiff, Cansford Laboratories offer a UK-wide testing service for individuals and organisations in family law, social care, criminal law, education and the workplace – focused on delivering exceptional care, quality, and upholding our record as the UK’s fastest drug and alcohol-testing laboratory.
‘We, as family lawyers, represent people who are at a crossroad in their life. Often a lot hangs in the balance and it is usually among the most stressful times in a person’s life,’ says associate family lawyer Antony Wilkinson from Southgate Solicitors. ‘Clarity of communication at this time will not only help clients understand the process and alleviate stress but it may also help keep cases on track. Every client is different, and it is important to quickly establish the most effective methods of communication to help best support them – be it in person, written communication or over the phone.’
‘Working with clients when a case relies on external elements which are difficult to understand, such as a drug and alcohol test result, have added communication challenges,’ he adds.
‘Many thousands of drug and alcohol tests are instructed by courts every year in support of divorce or child custody cases. For many cases where a test is required, clients are at their most vulnerable and so clear and concise communication is imperative to ensure the client is put at ease, understands the process, understands the results and ultimately that the case is kept on track.’
Antony, who specialises in public law matters providing advice and assistance in care proceedings, child protection, child arrangement orders and injunctions, continues: ‘Most family lawyers will have experienced a client not showing up for a drug or alcohol test appointment in their time. I have heard a range of reasons for no-shows in the past – religion, vanity, or that a client simply feels they have given enough samples over a course of time – but the fear of the collection and test process is a factor we hear all too often.
‘A no-show can throw cases off course and delay proceedings but refusing a drug or alcohol test completely can have potentially catastrophic implications for families. While the vast majority of clients want to prove that they have kept clean from drugs or alcohol, those who do refuse a test put themselves in a precarious position. Courts can draw an adverse inference where a test has not been carried out, which could ultimately mean that children will be removed from families due to this lack of cooperation.’
‘We do all we can to communicate what clients can expect when a sample is collected and sent off and to ensure clients feel comfortable. We also rely on the testing laboratories to make appointments quickly as time is of the essence with drug and alcohol testing. The quicker a laboratory can collect a client’s sample, the better.’
Antony offers the following tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible:
More broadly, understanding your clients, listening to them intently and working out the best communication methods for those individuals will lead to better client care and a more intuitive working relationship with fewer bumps along the road.
Fear of the collection and test process is a common factor among clients, especially among vulnerable adults in complex family law cases. Cansford Laboratories shares some tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
