Kendrick and Melton (Child support)

The matter of Kendrick and Melton concerned a dispute regarding the percentage of care for a child. The applicants, Kendrick and Melton, sought to challenge a decision made by the Child Support Registrar concerning the child's care arrangements. The case was heard by Member Sutherland M.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child. This question was central to determining whether the existing percentage of care determinations should be revoked and new determinations made.

Member Sutherland M considered the evidence presented regarding the child's living arrangements and the practical realities of the care provided by each parent. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning the assessment of care percentages, focusing on the actual and likely future patterns of care. The court found that the existing determinations were no longer reflective of the child's circumstances.

Consequently, the court set aside the decision under review and substituted it with new determinations regarding the percentage of care.