Wharton and Wharton (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Child Support Appeals Tribunal regarding a decision made by the Registrar of Child Support. The appeal was brought by the father, Mr. Wharton, against the mother, Ms. Wharton, concerning the percentage of care attributed to each parent for their child. The Registrar had previously made a determination regarding the percentage of care, which the father sought to have reviewed and altered.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether there had been a change in the likely pattern of care for the child since the last percentage of care determination was made. The Tribunal was required to assess whether the evidence presented demonstrated a significant and ongoing shift in the care arrangements that warranted a revocation of the existing determination and the making of a new one.

The Tribunal considered the evidence presented by both parties regarding the child's living arrangements and the practicalities of the care provided by each parent. Applying the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, the Tribunal determined that the evidence did not establish a sufficient change in the likely pattern of care to justify altering the existing percentage of care. Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the Registrar's decision.