Watchorn and Birtwistle (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered the dispute between Watchorn and Birtwistle concerning the percentage of care arrangements for their child. The core of the disagreement revolved around a change to the likely pattern of care and the effective dates for any revised percentage of care determinations.

The Tribunal was tasked with determining whether there had been a material change in the likely pattern of care for the child, and if so, what the appropriate percentage of care should be. Furthermore, the AAT had to ascertain the correct date from which any new percentage of care determination should apply, considering the existing determinations.

The Tribunal's reasoning focused on the evidence presented regarding the actual care arrangements and the anticipated future care arrangements for the child. Applying the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, the AAT assessed whether the observed and projected changes constituted a material alteration in the pattern of care. The Tribunal considered the statutory requirements for revoking existing determinations and making new ones, paying close attention to the legislative provisions governing the commencement dates of such revised arrangements.

The AAT set aside the previous decision under review and substituted its own determination regarding the percentage of care and the applicable dates.