Bignot and Bignot (Child support)

The matter of *Bignot and Bignot* concerned a dispute regarding the percentage of care attributed to each parent for child support assessment purposes. The applicant sought to have the existing decision reviewed and set aside. The case was heard by Member E Kidston of the Child Support Division of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was to determine the likely pattern of care between the parties from the commencement of the administrative assessment. This involved assessing the factual circumstances and evidence presented to ascertain the actual care arrangements that had been in place.

Member Kidston reviewed the evidence concerning the care arrangements for the child. The Tribunal applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* in assessing the percentage of care. After considering the evidence, the Tribunal found that the previous decision regarding the percentage of care was not in accordance with the law. Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the original decision and substituted its own determination of the likely pattern of care.