Tigan on behalf of the Mayala People v State of Western Australia

Case [2014] FCA 251


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Tigan on behalf of the Mayala People v State of Western Australia
[2014] FCA 251

Citation: Tigan on behalf of the Mayala People v State of Western Australia [2014] FCA 251
Parties: MITCHELL TIGAN AND OTHERS ON BEHALF OF THE MAYALA PEOPLE v STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND OTHERS
File number: WAD 6255 of 1998
Judge: GILMOUR J
Date of judgment: 19 February 2014
Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE - application pursuant to s 66B of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) to replace current applicant – title of action amended
Legislation: Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 66B
Date of hearing: 19 February 2014
Place: Perth
Division: GENERAL DIVISION
Category: Catchwords
Number of paragraphs: 2
Counsel for the Applicant: Ms J Cole
Solicitor for the Applicant: Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
Counsel for the State of Western Australia: No appearance
Solicitor for the State of Western Australia: State Solicitor's Office
Counsel for the Commonwealth: No appearance
Solicitor for the Commonwealth: Australian Government Solicitor

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

WAD 6255 of 1998

BETWEEN:

MITCHELL TIGAN AND OTHERS ON BEHALF OF THE MAYALA PEOPLE
Applicant

AND:

STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND OTHERS
Respondents

JUDGE:

GILMOUR J

DATE OF ORDER:

19 FEBRUARY 2014

WHERE MADE:

PERTH

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.Pursuant to section 66B of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), that Mitchell Tigan, Sandy Isaac, Valarie Wiggan, Jodi Humphries, Graham Ejai and Christopher Hubert do jointly replace the current applicant.

2.The heading of the current application be amended by removing the words “Aubrey Tigan and Others” from the title of the action and by adding the words “Mitchell Tigan and Others” to the title of the action.

3.That any requirement to file and serve an amended claimant application be waived.

4.Service of this interlocutory application on any respondent other than the State of Western Australia be dispensed with.

Note:Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

WAD 6255 of 1998

BETWEEN:

MITCHELL TIGAN AND OTHERS ON BEHALF OF THE MAYALA PEOPLE
Applicant

AND:

STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND OTHERS
Respondents

JUDGE:

GILMOUR J

DATE:

19 FEBRUARY 2014

PLACE:

PERTH

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. This is an application pursuant to s 66B of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for certain persons to be replaced as the applicant in the matter. There are ancillary orders sought. The application is supported by the following affidavits, each of which has been affirmed:

    (a)       Alarna Maher, 22 January 2014; 

    (b)       Jodi Humphries, 27 December 2013; 

    (c)       Mitchell Tigan, 21 January 2014; 

    (d)      Sandy Isaac, 21 January 2014; 

    (e)       Christopher Hubert, 22 January 2014; 

    (f)       Valarie Wiggan, 21 January 2014; 

    (g)       Graham Ejai, 5 February 2014; 

    (h)       Dante Mavec, 7 February 2014. 

  2. I have considered these affidavits together with the detailed outline of written submissions filed by the applicant, which I accept, and I am satisfied that there is a proper basis to make each of the orders which are sought in the interlocutory application, and I do so.

I certify that the preceding two (2) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Gilmour.

Associate:

Dated:       25 March 2014

Details
AGLC
Tigan on behalf of the Mayala People v State of Western Australia [2014] FCA 251
Case
[2014] FCA 251
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the matter of Tigan on behalf of the Mayala People v State of Western Australia, the applicants sought to replace the current applicants in the native title claim. This application was made pursuant to section 66B of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). The applicants included Mitchell Tigan, Sandy Isaac, Valarie Wiggan, Jodi Humphries, Graham Ejai, and Christopher Hubert, all on behalf of the Mayala People. The State of Western Australia was the primary respondent. The case was heard by Gilmour J in the Federal Court of Australia.

The court had to decide whether the proposed applicants were suitable replacements for the existing applicants in the native title claim. Additionally, the court had to consider the ancillary orders requested by the applicants, which included amending the title of the action, waiving the requirement to file an amended claimant application, and dispensing with service of the interlocutory application on respondents other than the State of Western Australia.

The court found that there was a proper basis for the applicants to be replaced in the native title claim. The affidavits submitted by the applicants and the written submissions filed were considered and accepted by the court. The court was satisfied that the proposed applicants were appropriate to continue the proceedings. Consequently, the court granted the orders sought, replacing the current applicants with Mitchell Tigan and others, amending the title of the action, waiving the requirement to file an amended claimant application, and dispensing with service of the interlocutory application on respondents other than the State of Western Australia.

The final orders of the court included the replacement of the current applicants, amendment of the title of the action, waiver of the requirement to file an amended claimant application, and dispensation from serving the interlocutory application on respondents other than the State of Western Australia. These orders were made on 19 February 2014.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.