Mercer and Leonardi (Child support)

The case of *Mercer and Leonardi* concerned a dispute over child support arrears. The applicant, Mercer, sought the collection of unpaid child support amounts from the respondent, Leonardi. The matter came before the court for review of a previous decision.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there were unpaid child support amounts that could be collected. This involved determining the validity and enforceability of certain "opt-in arrears" and whether the application for their collection was appropriately accepted by the relevant authority.

The court considered the nature of "opt-in arrears" and the legislative framework governing their collection. It found that the decision under review had erred in its assessment of the unpaid amounts. Consequently, the court set aside the previous decision and remitted the matter back to the original decision-maker with directions to reconsider the application.