TINGLEY & SMART & CHILD SUPPORT REGISTRAR

In the matter of *Tingley & Smart & Child Support Registrar*, heard by Judge Williams, the applicant sought to have a child support assessment set aside. The dispute concerned the validity of a child support agreement and whether it should be recognised as a binding agreement under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth). The applicant contended that the agreement was not a valid child support agreement for the purposes of the Act, and therefore the assessment should be disregarded.

The central legal issue before the court was whether the document presented by the parties constituted a valid child support agreement as defined by the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*. This required the court to consider the specific requirements for a child support agreement to be recognised under the Act, including whether it met the criteria for registration and whether it was intended by the parties to be a binding agreement.

Judge Williams dismissed the applicant's initiating application. The court found that the agreement did not meet the statutory requirements to be considered a valid child support agreement under the Act. Consequently, the child support assessment remained in force. The parties were ordered to file and serve any submissions as to costs within 28 days.