Jebson and Child Support Registrar (Child Support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (the Tribunal) by Mr. Jebson against a decision of the Child Support Registrar. The Registrar had refused Mr. Jebson an extension of time within which to lodge an objection to a child support assessment.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether the Registrar's refusal to grant an extension of time was justified, or whether an extension should have been granted to allow Mr. Jebson to pursue his objection. This required the Tribunal to consider the principles governing the grant of extensions of time in such circumstances, particularly where the objection itself might have merit.

The Tribunal affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that Mr. Jebson had failed to provide a reasonable explanation for the significant delay in lodging his objection. While acknowledging that the objection may not have been devoid of merit, the Tribunal held that the lack of a satisfactory explanation for the lateness was a critical factor. The Tribunal applied the principle that an extension of time should not be granted lightly and requires a compelling reason for the delay, which was absent in this instance.