This includes representing parties in native title claims and negotiations, gathering and assessing evidence in native title claims, implementing native title or cultural heritage agreements and mediation services.  We can also provide assistance to Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers in relation to funding applications, including independent external reviews, and, advising native title corporations.

One particular specialty of MPS Law’s Principal , Michael Pagsanjan, is native title compensation, with Michael negotiating the settlement of Australia’s first successful native title compensation consent determination in Australia, and also negotiating the landmark Yamatji Nation settlement.

We also advise mining and exploration companies on matters relating to native title.

A director of a current client for MPS Law provided the following recent testimonial:

MPS Law is an innovative legal service, knowledgeable and understanding of Aboriginal cultural protocol…and is committed to achieving [our] goals and future endeavours.

Another director of a current client for MPS Law provided the following additional testimonial:

…MPS Law has shown us patience and respect as we work towards our ambitions to improve community living standards and services, and create opportunity for our young people.

Our native title and cultural heritage services are charged at below commercial rates for native title claimants and native title service providers and representative bodies.

Some of the native title claims that MPS Law has recently assisted include the Katherine Families claim (NTD46 of 2018), Widi Mob native title claim (WAD6193 of 1998), Wakka Wakka native title claims (QUD621 of 2011 and QUD93 of 2012), Mandandanji native title claim (QUD366 of 2008), Wangan and Jagalingou native title claim (QUD85 of 2004), Koa native title claim (QUD592 of 2015), Wangkamahdla Nation native title claim (QUD52 of 2016), Yuwaalaraay/Euahlayi native title claim (QUD32 of 2017), Kunja native title claim (QUD598 of 2015), the Nukunu native title claim (SAD6012 of 1998), and, respondent and interested parties in the Warral and Ului Claim (QUD9 of 2019), North Eastern Peninsula Sea Claim (QUD115 of 2017) and the Warrabinga Claims (NSD857 of 2017).

News

• General guidance note on native title

• Guidance note on native title developments in 2019

• Guidance note on native title developments in 2018

• Case note on High Court decision on native title compensation

• Case note on Federal Court decision on agreement execution

• Case note on Federal Court decision on compensation

• Note on the Federal Court consent determination for the landmark Yamatji Nation settlement

• Case note on Federal Court decision about native title documents

• Select commentary on the CATSI Act report

• Summary of SA Mining Regulation updates relating to native title

• Update on Native Title Legislation Amendment Bill

• 2020 year in review: Native title law and policy

• Proposal for Aboriginal ‘voice’ to South Australian Parliament

• Announcement of Stage Two of the Indigenous Voice to “Parliament” Co-design process

Free premium resources (login to access)

• General guidance note on a claimant application

• Guidance note for effective community consultation

• Guidance note on native title negotiations

• Guidance note on copyright, legal professional privilege and confidentiality in native title documents

• Template letter agreement for heritage surveys on native title land

• Benefits checklist for native title parties negotiating agreement with project proponent

• Template heritage survey procedure and checklist for native title parties

• Native title decision checklist for RNTBCs

• Checklist to help RNTBCs plan and hold AGMs

• Witness statement checklist for native title claims

• Healthy native title corporation checklist