Lyle and Lyle (Child support)

The matter of *Lyle and Lyle* concerned an application to the court regarding child support payments. The dispute arose when the liable parent withdrew consent for the child's private education, which had previously been an arrangement agreed upon by both parents. The decision reviewed was made by the Child Support Registrar.

The court was required to determine whether the Registrar had erred in their decision concerning the departure from the standard child support assessment. Specifically, the court had to consider the financial resources of both parents and the costs associated with the child's education, particularly in light of the manner in which the parents had expected the child to be educated.

The court found that the Registrar had failed to adequately consider the financial capacity of both parents and the established educational expectations. The court reasoned that the withdrawal of consent by the liable parent, without sufficient consideration of these factors, constituted an error. Consequently, the court set aside the Registrar's decision and substituted its own determination.