Smith v Marapikurrinya Pty Ltd [2011] FCAFC 150

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Smith v Marapikurrinya Pty Ltd [2011] FCAFC 150 Citation: Smith v Marapikurrinya Pty Ltd [2011] FCAFC 150

Appeal from: Smith v Marapikurrinya (No 2) [2011] FCA 733

Parties: GENE SMITH, MARY ATTWOOD, GEORGE DANN, SHIRLEY LOCKYER, PATRICIA MASON and ROBERT DANN v MARAPIKURRINYA PTY LTD (ACN 127 500 136), DIANA ROBINSON and KERRY ROBINSON

File number: WAD 244 of 2011

Judges: STONE, SIOPIS AND COLLIER JJ

Date of judgment: 25 November 2011

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – standing to seek declaratory relief – whether application connected with Native Title Claim so as to be a matter arising under the Native Title Act – whether appellants, not being the applicant in the Native Title Claim, have standing to seek relief – s 62A Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) – standing to deal with matters arising under the Act granted exclusively to the "applicant" in a native title claim– whether trial judge erred in finding the appellants' lacked standing. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – consideration of principles concerning grant of declaratory relief – refusal to grant relief in exercise of discretion – no utility in making the declaration – no justiciable controversy

Legislation: Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) Evidence Act 1995(Cth) s 191 Federal Magistrates Act 1999 (Cth) s 17A Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 62A Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 52

Cases cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Real Estate Institute of Western Australia Inc (1999) 161 ALR 79 Roe v Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation [2010] FCA 809 Smith v Marapikurrinya (No 2) [2011] FCA 733 Smith v Marapikurrinya Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 330 Smith v Marapikurrinya Pty Ltd [2010] FMCA 5