22 Nov 2022
Leave to appeal was refused because the proceeding is an abuse of process and granting leave is not in the interests of justice; given that conclusion it was unnecessary and inappropriate to resolve the potential statutory conflict between s56 of the Senior Courts Act and s124 of the Human Rights Act.
6 Mar 2020
Leave to appeal was refused because the applicant's statutory interpretation arguments lacked sufficient prospects of success and there was no risk of a miscarriage of justice; the Commissioner's reassessment of care arrangements under the Child Support Act was lawful in the circumstances, extinguishing the father's liability for the period in question.
4 May 2018
The mediated settlement agreement recording admissions made in FDR is not a "statement" privileged by s14 FDRA and is not confidential absent express agreement; the Commissioner was performing an administrative function (not acting judicially) and therefore was entitled to rely on the mediated agreement and accompanying documents to determine parentage and make a child support assessment under the Child Support Act 1991.
12 Jul 2017
A mediated family dispute resolution agreement that records an acknowledgment of paternity is neither privileged under s14 FDRA nor confidential such that it cannot be relied upon by the Commissioner; accordingly the Commissioner was entitled to treat the signed mediated agreement as establishing parenthood under s7(1)(e) Child Support Act 1991 and the judicial review is dismissed.