Atkinson and Downing (Child support)

The case of *Atkinson and Downing* concerned a dispute over the percentage of care for a child, where the court was asked to determine whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care. The decision under review affirmed a prior determination regarding this matter.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the existing court orders regarding the child's care had been complied with, and consequently, whether this non-compliance constituted a change to the likely pattern of care that would warrant a reassessment of the child support percentage.

The court affirmed the decision under review, finding that the evidence did not establish a change to the likely pattern of care. The reasoning focused on the interpretation of "likely pattern of care" within the context of the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 and the existing court orders. The court applied the principles that govern the assessment of care arrangements, considering whether the actual care provided deviated from the established or intended pattern.