Niles and Davies (Child support)

The case of *Niles and Davies* concerned a dispute over child support payments, brought before the court for review. The central issue was whether a terminating event had occurred, specifically whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child. This question arose in circumstances where the child was residing in youth accommodation and receiving a youth allowance at the independent rate.

The court was required to determine whether the child's living arrangements and receipt of an independent youth allowance constituted a change in the pattern of care that would trigger a terminating event under the relevant child support legislation. This involved an assessment of whether the child's circumstances met the criteria for such a change, thereby impacting the existing child support assessment.

In its reasoning, the court considered the nature of the child's accommodation and the implications of receiving the independent youth allowance. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning terminating events and changes to the pattern of care. The court found that the circumstances did indeed amount to a change in the likely pattern of care, leading to the conclusion that a terminating event had occurred. Consequently, the court set aside the previous decision under review and substituted its own orders.