Saffer and Podmore (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Saffer 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 Saffer 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 of the child, which would justify the revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones. The court was also required to consider the date of effect of any new determinations and whether any special circumstances existed that would warrant a departure from the usual application of the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*.

The court found that the Registrar had erred in revoking the existing percentage of care determinations. It determined that the evidence did not establish a change to the likely pattern of care that would justify such a revocation. Consequently, the court concluded that no special circumstances existed to warrant a departure from the usual provisions regarding the date of effect of any new determinations.

The court ordered that the decision under review be set aside and substituted with a new determination that the existing percentage of care orders remain in effect.