Government & Public Law · Mid North Coast
1 native title & aboriginal legal services firm in Mid North Coast, New South Wales, including Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Forster.
1 firm
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
Bick & Steele provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Planning & Environment, Native Title & Aboriginal Legal Services and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Native title representative bodies and specialist firms act in claims, agreements and land use.
Native title recognises traditional rights to land and waters, affecting development, resources and communities.
The Native Title Act 1993 followed the High Court's Mabo decision. Claims are determined by the Federal Court, and native title representative bodies act for traditional owners.
Understand the next step
Explain whether the enquiry concerns native title, an agreement or access to an Aboriginal legal service for another matter. These are distinct needs and may require different providers.
Do not assume that every Aboriginal legal service undertakes native title work or that a general practitioner can act for a group.
Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Forster and Kempsey are separate centres within this search area. Start with the legal issue, then compare the office location and the practicalities of ongoing contact.
For native title & aboriginal legal services, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Mid North Coast. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
Keep the complete notice, reasons and review information. Record when and how the decision was received.
Ask whether internal review, a tribunal, complaint or court process is available. The Administrative Review Tribunal reviews specified Commonwealth decisions, not every government matter.
Identify evidence relevant to the disputed findings and ask how the agency file can be obtained. Clarify the result the reviewer can provide.
Clarify charges for advice, submissions, appearances and reports. Ask about legal aid or specialist assistance where appropriate.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Give the decision and receipt dates immediately. A general complaint may not preserve an opportunity to seek formal review.
In New South Wales, most criminal and minor civil matters start in the Local Court, with more serious matters in the District Court and Supreme Court. Tenancy, strata, consumer and guardianship disputes usually go to NCAT. Solicitors are licensed by the Law Society of New South Wales, and complaints about lawyers go to the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner.
Good to know
Recognition by Australian law of the rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in land and waters.
Most matters start in the Local Court. More serious cases go to the District Court or the Supreme Court of NSW. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Practising certificates in New South Wales are managed by the Law Society of New South Wales. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.