Mortimer and Burton (Child Support)

The case of *Mortimer and Burton (Child Support)* concerned a dispute between the parties regarding an estimate of income for child support purposes. The matter came before the court for review and amendment of this estimate, with a key focus on identifying the relevant date of the event that necessitated the review.

The central legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar of the Child Support Agency had erred in setting an estimated income for one of the parties, and if so, what date should be considered the "date of event" for the purpose of amending that estimate. This involved determining the correct application of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* in relation to income estimates and reviews.

The court reasoned that the Registrar’s initial estimate was not sufficiently supported by evidence and that a review was warranted. It applied the principles of administrative law, requiring decisions to be based on relevant considerations and evidence. The court determined that the "date of event" for the amendment should be the date on which the relevant change in circumstances occurred, which in this instance was the date the party ceased employment. Consequently, the court set aside the original decision and substituted it with a revised estimate of income, effective from the identified date of event.