Vaughn and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Vaughn against a decision of the Child Support Registrar to refuse an extension of time to object to a child support administrative assessment. The appeal was heard by S Cullimore M.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the Registrar's refusal to grant an extension of time was an exercise of discretion that was so unreasonable that it should be set aside. This required the Court to consider whether Vaughn had provided a reasonable explanation for the delay in lodging the objection and whether there was potential merit in the objection itself.

The Court reasoned that the Registrar's decision involved a discretionary assessment of the circumstances. It applied the principles that an extension of time should generally be granted where there is a reasonable explanation for the delay and a reasonably arguable case. In this instance, the Court found that Vaughn had provided a sufficient explanation for the delay and that the proposed objection had sufficient merit to warrant further consideration. Consequently, the Court determined that the Registrar's refusal to grant the extension was an unreasonable exercise of discretion.

The Court set aside the decision of the Child Support Registrar and substituted an order that an extension of time be granted for Vaughn to lodge an objection to the administrative assessment.