Rowell and Gowland (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Rowell against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The Registrar had revoked existing percentage of care determinations and made new determinations, which Rowell sought to have set aside.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would justify the revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones.

The court considered the evidence presented regarding the care arrangements for the child. It applied the principles governing the assessment of the percentage of care under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, focusing on the likely future pattern of care rather than past arrangements. The court found that the Registrar's decision was not supported by sufficient evidence to establish a change in the likely pattern of care.

Consequently, the court set aside the Registrar's decision and substituted its own determination regarding the percentage of care.