In my previous article in this series, I considered the concept of parental responsibility and how a father can have his legal status reflect the biological reality and he be recognised as the child’s father. It is not only fathers who may want to have the law recognise their parenthood. 

Mothers may also wish to prove that an individual is the biological father of their child. In some cases the mother may not be sure themselves; in others they may be sure, but the putative father may no...