MacDonnells Law has the largest specialist indigenous law practice of any Queensland law firm and one of the largest in Australia. We have experienced lawyers (solicitors) in our Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville offices who practice exclusively in Indigenous Law. The MacDonnells Indigenous Law team has been involved in many of the landmark legal developments in the field.

Since 1992, MacDonnells Law has practised extensively in native title, acting exclusively for respondents including statutory authorities, infrastructure providers, local governments, rural producers, mining companies, tourism operators, financiers and land developers. Our Indigenous Law lawyers are appointed to the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Panel of Specialist Native Title Practitioners.

Today, MacDonnells Law’s Indigenous Law practice is much broader than just native title. We provide an holistic service in all areas of indigenous law. Practical and innovative outcomes are delivered through the integration of our indigenous law expertise with other specialist legal services in infrastructure projects, planning & environment, property & development and Government.

The MacDonnells Law Indigenous Law team has expertise and experience in:

• due diligence assessments and compliance advice for large and small projects
• Indigenous Land Use Agreements ("ILUAs"), Right to Negotiate Agreements, Notifications and Compulsory Acquisitions for water, transport, waste management, energy, resources, primary industries and land development projects
• Cultural Heritage Management Plans, Cultural Heritage Agreements and compliance with the Cultural Heritage Duty of Care Guidelines for projects of all kinds
• advice and representation in native title proceedings
• representation in matters before the Land and Resources Tribunal.

Our Indigenous Law team’s specialist lawyers offer expertise in four main practice areas:

Native Title

MacDonnells Law has been significantly involved in most native title determinations made so far in Queensland under the Native Title Act 1993 and numerous complex and innovative ILUAs.

Cultural Heritage

MacDonnells Law was substantially involved in submissions on the preparation of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) and has extensive experience with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Clth).

Indigenous Corporate Governance

We assist many indigenous entities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils, some Native Title Representative Bodies and Government departments and agencies, with their corporate and commercial needs including land tenure issues, legal compliance, statutory interpretation, administrative law and commercial matters.

Indigenous Business Enterprises

MacDonnells Law assists indigenous business enterprises with legal requirements in relation to their commercial activities. That includes the establishment of joint ventures, trusts, commercial property dealings and the commercialisation of indigenous interests in land and waters, often in conjunction with Government and commercial operators.