Ellarby and Clarance (Child support)

The case of *Ellarby and Clarance* concerned a dispute regarding child support payments, specifically whether there had been a change in the pattern of care for the child. The decision under review involved the revocation of pre-existing care percentages.

The primary legal issue before Member J Thomson was to determine whether the circumstances warranted a change in the established child support care percentages. This required an assessment of the actual care arrangements for the child and whether these arrangements constituted a significant alteration from the previously registered pattern of care.

Member J Thomson affirmed the decision under review, finding that the evidence did not establish a sufficient change in the pattern of care to justify revoking the existing percentages. The Member applied the principles governing changes to care arrangements under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, focusing on whether the new arrangements were substantial and ongoing, thereby necessitating a recalculation of child support.