Abstract: The invention is related to a laboratory apparatus and method for the automated processing of liquid samples, in particular for the program controlled handling of liquid samples, having an electronic control device, which is adapted to process a program code for the program controlled processing of fluid samples, at least one processing space for receiving the fluid samples to be processed, at least one electronically controllable sample processing device for performing at least one program controlled process step on at least one sample, which is arranged in the processing space, at least one electronically controllable decontamination device for cleaning at least a part of the processing space, wherein the decontamination device is configured to be controlled by the control device and the control device is configured to digitally control the decontamination device.