Hamlet and Sawyer (Child support)

The case of *Hamlet and Sawyer* concerned a dispute over the percentage of care arrangements for a child. The applicant sought to have the existing percentage of care determinations revoked and new determinations made. The matter came before the court for review.

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 regarding the actual care arrangements and to determine if these arrangements constituted a significant alteration from the previously established pattern.

In reaching its decision, the court considered the evidence of the parties and applied the principles governing the assessment of percentage of care under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*. The court found that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care and, consequently, varied the existing percentage of care determinations.