Mandeville and Herdman (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Mandeville against a decision of the Child Support Registrar regarding the percentage of care for the parties' child. Herdman was the respondent. The core of the dispute revolved around whether there had been a change to the established pattern of care that would warrant a reassessment of the existing percentage of care determinations.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar had erred in finding that no change to the existing percentage of care determinations had occurred. This required the court to consider the evidence presented regarding the child's living arrangements and the practical reality of the care provided by each parent.

The court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate a material change in the pattern of care that would justify altering the existing percentage of care. The court applied the principles governing the assessment of care arrangements under the relevant child support legislation, focusing on whether the factual circumstances had shifted sufficiently to warrant a review of the established care percentages. The court was satisfied that the existing determinations accurately reflected the ongoing care arrangements.