Reflections on the Jersey Child Law Conference

Attending the Jersey Child Law Conference on March 14, 2025, was an enlightening experience for our team. The event, held in the picturesque St. Helier, brought together experts, practitioners, and advocates from various fields to discuss the latest developments and challenges in child law.

The panel discussion

It's not often that we get to come together with other labs in our industry so this conference was a great opportunity for us to catch up and discuss the latest changes in drug and alcohol testing. Our Deputy Lab Manager Abbi sat alongside scientists and representatives from four other labs to discuss how best to provide a clear picture of the validity and limitations of test results in a legal context.

Whilst most labs in the UK adhere to the Society of Hair Testing guidelines and follow very similar processes, there is an exception currently and we were saddened to hear some misinformation being circulated on the day. Expert interpretation of results is best done by qualified scientists and whilst we value questions from (and conversations with) legal practitioners, results should always be used alongside a wider body of evidence. 

Our Lab Manager James has written recently about some of the myths circulating at present - I'd urge you to give it a read. We also have a live Q&A with James and Abbi taking place on the 14th April. You can submit questions to by emailing them to communications@cansfordlabs.co.uk. Pop the date in your diary (more info to follow) as we'd love to see you all there!

Personal reflections

For our team, the Jersey Child Law Conference was more than just an educational event; it was a chance to reaffirm our commitment to advocating for children's rights through the services we supply to the legal sector. The stories we heard reminded us of the impact our work can have on young lives.

We left the conference with renewed energy and a deeper sense of purpose. The knowledge gained and connections made will undoubtedly influence our future initiatives and strategies. We are excited to implement the new ideas and approaches discussed at the conference and look forward to contributing to the ongoing dialogue in child law.

Conclusion

Attending the Jersey Child Law Conference was a fantastic experience. It reinforced why I love what I do and was a great opportunity to chat with so many of the people working on the front line of child law. It's safe to say we're planning to return in 2026.