Hastings and Hastings (Child support)

The case of *Hastings and Hastings (Child support)* concerned a dispute between two parents regarding the percentage of care attributed to each parent for their child. The decision under review, which had determined the percentage of care, was the subject of the appeal. The matter came before Member Y Webb of the relevant tribunal.

The primary legal issue before the tribunal was to determine the correct percentage of care for the child, considering the pattern of care that each parent had had, or was likely to have, during a care period. This involved assessing the factual circumstances of the child's living arrangements and the practicalities of each parent's involvement in the child's daily life.

Member Webb's reasoning focused on the application of the relevant legislative provisions governing the assessment of child support, particularly those relating to the percentage of care. The tribunal considered the evidence presented by both parties regarding the actual care arrangements and the likely future arrangements. The tribunal applied the principles of statutory interpretation to ascertain the meaning and intent of the legislation concerning the determination of care percentages, ultimately finding that the decision under review required variation based on the evidence and the law.