Jephson and Dowson (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Jephson against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The Registrar had revoked existing percentage of care determinations and made new determinations, which Jephson sought to have set aside.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care of the child, such that the existing percentage of care determinations should be revoked and new ones made. The Tribunal was required to consider the evidence presented regarding the actual care arrangements and the likely future care arrangements for the child.

The Tribunal affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that there had been a material change to the likely pattern of care. The Member considered the evidence of the parties' living arrangements and the child's routine, concluding that the new arrangements represented a significant and likely ongoing shift in the care provided by each parent. The Tribunal applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning changes to the pattern of care.