Rowan and Rowan (Child support)

The case of *Rowan and Rowan (Child Support)* concerned a dispute between the parties regarding child support assessments. The matter came before the court for review of decisions made by the Child Support Registrar.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, and consequently, whether existing percentage of care determinations should be revoked and new ones made. Additionally, the court was required to determine whether there were special circumstances that prevented one of the parties from lodging an objection within the prescribed time limit, and if so, whether the date of effect provisions for any revised assessment should be altered.

The court affirmed the Registrar's decision to revoke existing percentage of care determinations and make new ones, finding that there had indeed been a change to the likely pattern of care. However, the court set aside the Registrar's decision regarding the date of effect, finding that no special circumstances existed to justify an extension of time for lodging the objection. The court substituted its own decision on this point.

Consequently, the court ordered that the existing percentage of care determinations be revoked and new determinations made, reflecting the changed pattern of care. The court also ordered that the objection was to be treated as having been lodged on the date it was actually received by the Registrar, and that the revised assessment would take effect from that date.