This checklist sets out necessary legal, ethical, and practical considerations to ensure that witness statements are obtained and prepared in a way that increases the likelihood of success and satisfies obligations.

 

 

Witness statements are a key source of evidence in native title claims. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples require that free, prior and informed consent is a key aspect when obtaining instructions or legal agreements from Indigenous clients. Free, prior and informed consent implies that consent should be obtained with no coercion, sufficiently in advance and with the size, pace, reversibility and scope of the activity appropriately explained. In addition, native title law is complex and the settings can be challenging, which can make witness statements more difficult than usual.

You can download the checklist here.

Note: This document is intended as a guide only. This does not constitute legal advice. The issues and questions set out are of a general nature and may not reflect your specific circumstances. There may be additional and important considerations that should be taken into account in your specific circumstances, depending on the requirements of your corporation and its rule book. If you or your organisation has a legal problem, you should obtain professional advice from a legal practitioner.