Vann and Foxley (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia regarding the determination of the percentage of care for the parties' child. The applicants, Vann and Foxley, sought to alter the existing registered percentages of care.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether a minor change to the established pattern of care warranted a revocation of the existing registered percentages. Specifically, the Court had to consider the application of section 65DAA of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) and the principles governing the determination of a likely pattern of care.

The Court affirmed the decision of the lower court, finding that a minor alteration to the care arrangements did not constitute a significant change sufficient to justify revoking the existing percentages. The Court reasoned that the legislative intent behind section 65DAA was to provide stability in child support arrangements and that minor fluctuations in care patterns were not intended to trigger a review or alteration of registered percentages. The discretion to revoke existing percentages was therefore not exercised.