Haynes and Child Support Registrar and Anor (SSAT Appeal)

This matter concerned an appeal from a decision of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT) to the Federal Circuit Court. The appellant, Haynes, sought to appeal a decision made by the SSAT concerning child support matters. The Child Support Registrar was also a party to the proceedings.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether it had jurisdiction to review the SSAT's decision. Specifically, the Court was required to determine if the SSAT had erred in law or if any question of law had arisen from its decision, which would ordinarily be a prerequisite for federal court intervention. The admissibility of fresh evidence not presented to the SSAT was also a consideration.

Judge Scarlett found that the SSAT had no jurisdiction to review decisions of the Child Support Registrar, and consequently, the Federal Circuit Court had no jurisdiction to review the SSAT's decision in this instance as no error of law was identified. The Court also determined that affidavits containing fresh material, which were not before the SSAT, were inadmissible on review. The Court affirmed the SSAT's decision. The Court also made orders regarding the filing of written submissions and affidavits in relation to an application for costs by the appellant, who was not legally represented.