Cordray and Liston (Child support)

This matter concerned a dispute between Mr Cordray and Ms Liston regarding the percentage of care for their child. The case came before the Tribunal for review of a decision made by an objections officer concerning the child's care arrangements.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was to determine the likely pattern of care for the child from 1 June 2021, and whether there had been a change to that pattern. This determination was crucial for establishing the correct child support percentages.

The Tribunal considered evidence from both parties, including care calendars and statements made to the Child Support Agency. It found Ms Liston's evidence, which asserted she had 100% care of the child from 1 June 2021, to be more persuasive than Mr Cordray's revised care calendar, which lacked corroboration. The Tribunal gave significant weight to a letter from a case worker at a welfare agency and multiple letters from Ms Liston's family, which supported her claim of consistent care. While acknowledging occasional overnight stays with other family members or friends, the Tribunal concluded these did not disrupt the overall pattern of care.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision under review, finding that Ms Liston had 100% care and Mr Cordray had 0% care of the child from 1 June 2021, with specific dates of effect for these determinations.