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New features for updated database

Tue, 20 Sep 2016

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is pleased to announce the updated Native Title Precedents Database, the only national database for Native Title Representative Bodies and Native Title Service Providers (collectively, NTRBs).

The Database underwent a full technical redevelopment this year, with a soft launch held in June. The final switch over to the new product happened Thursday 15 September, 2016.

The database platform has been updated to boost search functionality, with content linked across types by legal issue. The content has been expanded to include claims based material alongside the existing agreement-making precedents. The resources on the database now include native title legal summaries, templates, forms and research materials.

The Database’s secure environment promotes best practice across native title agreement-making, settlement and litigation by allowing NTRBs to share agreements, legal advices, court documents and other resources confidentially.

AIATSIS’ Native Title Research Unit (NTRU) staff worked closely with a steering committee comprised of NTSCorp, Central Desert Native Title Services, Kimberley Land Council and North Queensland Land Council to complete the update.

The NTRU are also travelling to NTRBs to train staff and work on content for the database, including a recent trip to Perth to work with legal and PBC support staff from Goldfields Land and Sea Council, Central Desert Native Title Services and Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation.

Lawyer Shzan Plandowski recently joined Goldfields Land and Sea Council and attended database training during the visit.

“Before being admitted as a lawyer I did internships with several major Australian law firms. Their extensive knowledge management systems are impressive,” said Shzan.

“It is great to know that working for an Aboriginal representative body I have access to similar resources in the form of the AIATSIS database. The database is custom made to assist me as a junior native title lawyer. Also, I can call AIATSIS staff at any time and they will personally help me with my queries. Fantastic!”

NTRBs interested in subscribing can contact Precedents.Database@aiatsis.gov.au.

Media enquiries:

Commsmedia@aiatsis.gov.au or 02 6246 1605

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Last updated: 12 July 2023