Medwin and Shipway (Child support)

The case of *Medwin and Shipway* concerned a dispute over child support payments. The applicant, Medwin, sought to alter the assessed child support payable by the respondent, Shipway, on the basis that there had been a change in the likely pattern of care for the subject children. The decision was made by Judicial Officer Thomson M of the Child Support Tribunal.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether the applicant had taken reasonable action to restore the likely pattern of care, which had significantly reduced due to the respondent's non-compliance with existing court orders. The Tribunal was required to determine if the circumstances warranted a departure from the existing child support assessment, considering the interim period for which the reduced care had been in place.

The Tribunal affirmed the previous decision, finding that the applicant had not taken reasonable action to restore the likely pattern of care. While acknowledging the respondent's non-compliance with court orders, the Tribunal concluded that the applicant's actions were insufficient to establish a change in the likely pattern of care for the purposes of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*. The Tribunal considered the 14-week interim period and determined that the applicant had not met the threshold for altering the child support assessment.