Cantrill and Lydon (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Mr. Cantrill, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would justify revoking existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones. The appeal was heard by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the Registrar had erred in revoking the existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones. Specifically, the Tribunal had to consider whether the evidence supported a finding that there had been a change in the likely pattern of care for the child, and if so, whether the new determinations accurately reflected that change.

The Tribunal found that the Registrar had not properly considered the evidence regarding the child's living arrangements and the parents' respective roles. It was held that the Registrar had failed to adequately assess the impact of the father's new employment arrangements on the pattern of care. The Tribunal applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, focusing on the definition of "change in the likely pattern of care" and the criteria for revoking and making new percentage of care determinations.

The Tribunal set aside the Registrar's decision and substituted its own, revoking the existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones that reflected the Tribunal's assessment of the likely pattern of care.