Stocker and Doble (Child support)

The matter of *Stocker and Doble* concerned an appeal to the Child Support Special Powers Tribunal regarding a departure determination made by the Registrar of the Child Support Agency. The dispute centred on the income, property, and financial resources of one of the parents, which were relevant to the assessment of child support obligations.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the Registrar’s departure determination was justified under the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*. Specifically, the Tribunal had to consider whether the parent’s actual financial circumstances warranted a departure from the standard assessment of child support.

The Tribunal reviewed the evidence presented and the Registrar's decision. It applied the principles governing departure determinations, which allow for adjustments to child support assessments in specific circumstances where the standard assessment would be unfair. The Tribunal found that the Registrar’s initial determination had not adequately considered all relevant factors concerning the parent's income, property, and financial resources. Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the Registrar's decision and substituted its own determination.