Hallam v Judd and Anor (SSAT Appeal)

This matter concerned an appeal to the court by Mr Hallam against a decision made by the Child Support Registrar, which had been reviewed by the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT). The dispute centred on whether proper notice had been given to Mr Hallam regarding an application to the SSAT for a review of a decision affecting his interests.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the SSAT had complied with its statutory obligations under section 102 of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* to provide written notice to Mr Hallam, a person whose interests were affected by a decision under review but who was not initially a party to the review. This involved determining the legal effect of posting such a notice and the presumptions that apply to the receipt of postal articles under the *Acts Interpretation Act 1901* and the *Evidence Act 1905*.

The court considered the provisions of section 102 of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, which mandates that the SSAT Principal Member must take reasonable steps to give written notice to affected persons and inform them of their right to apply to be joined as a party. The court also had regard to section 29 of the *Acts Interpretation Act 1901*, which deems service by post to be effected at the time a properly addressed, prepaid letter would ordinarily be delivered, and section 160 of the *Evidence Act 1905*, which presumes receipt of a postal article sent by prepaid post on the fourth working day after posting, unless evidence to the contrary is adduced. The court found that the evidence before it established that the SSAT had complied with its obligations under section 102 by posting the required notice, and that the presumptions regarding postal delivery applied.

The appeal was dismissed, and there was no order as to costs.