Frith and Scrubb (Child support)

The case of *Frith and Scrubb* concerned a dispute over the percentage of care for a child. The applicant, Frith, sought to have the existing percentage of care determinations revoked and new determinations made. The respondent, Scrubb, opposed this application. The matter came before the court for review of a decision made by the Child Support Registrar.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child. This required the court to assess the evidence presented by both parties regarding the actual care arrangements and to determine if these arrangements constituted a significant and ongoing change from the previously determined pattern.

The court considered the evidence concerning the day-to-day care of the child, including factors such as where the child resided, who was responsible for the child's daily needs, and the overall time spent with each parent. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) concerning changes in the pattern of care, focusing on whether the new pattern was likely to continue.

The court affirmed the decision of the Child Support Registrar, finding that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care. Consequently, the existing percentage of care determinations were revoked, and new determinations were made reflecting the revised care arrangements.