Pridgen and Abramov (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Pridgen (the appellant) against a decision of the Child Support Registrar (the respondent) concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The Registrar had made a determination that the percentage of care provided by Abramov (the second respondent) had changed, leading to a revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones. The appellant sought to have this decision reviewed.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar had erred in determining that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child. This involved an assessment of the evidence presented regarding the actual care arrangements and the likelihood of those arrangements continuing. The court was required to consider the criteria for varying a percentage of care determination under the relevant legislation.

In reaching its decision, the court considered the evidence of the parties and the Registrar's findings. The court affirmed the Registrar's conclusion that a change in the likely pattern of care had occurred. The court applied the principles governing the assessment of percentage of care, focusing on the factual circumstances and the future likelihood of care arrangements. The court found no error in the Registrar's decision to revoke the existing determinations and make new ones, noting that no interim determination had been made. The appeal was therefore dismissed.