Land Court Act 2000

In ForceQLD

Jurisdiction

Queensland

Act Number

1 of 2000

Collection

act

Plain English Summary

7/10 complexity

What this law does, in plain terms

Establishes two specialist courts: the Land Court (a court of record) and the Land Appeal Court (a court of record) (ss.4, 53). These courts hear, decide and enforce disputes and administrative matters that relate to land, mining, native title and certain cultural heritage matters (ss.5, 32E–32H, 32F–32G).
Gives the Land Court broad decision‑making powers including powers equivalent to those of the Supreme Court when acting under this Act or another Act (so it can grant injunctions, declarations, appoint receivers, order stays, punish contempt and restrict publication of records) (s.7A; ss.8–9; s.7B). Appeals from the Land Court go to the Land Appeal Court; limited appeals from the Land Appeal Court can go to the Court of Appeal with leave (parts 3–4).
Sets how the Land Court and Land Appeal Court operate: their procedures are governed by rules made by the Governor in Council with the Chief Justice and the president (s.21); the court and its president may also make directions about procedure that can override the rules to the extent of inconsistency (s.22). The courts are not strictly bound by formal evidence rules and must act according to equity and the substantial merits of a case (ss.7, 55).
Establishes judicial and administrative roles and appointment rules: the Governor in Council appoints the president and members (s.16); judicial registrars, acting members, deputies and other officers are provided for (ss.19, 28–31, 48–51). Qualifications and term lengths for members and registrars, protections, retirement ages and removal procedures are set out (ss.16, 38–46, 43).

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What it does

The Land Court Act 2000 establishes the Land Court of Queensland as a specialised judicial tribunal and court of record (s 4). It is a continuation of the Land Court established under the repealed Land Act 1962 (s 79). The Act confers on the Land Court the jurisdiction given to it under the Act itself or under another Act, and provides that when jurisdiction for a proceeding is expressly conferred, that jurisdiction is exclusive (s 5(1)-(2)). The Land Court’s jurisdiction cannot be ousted merely because a proceeding concerns equitable claims or interests, or involves a decision about title to land (s 5(4)). The Act also establishes a Land Appeal Court as a separate appellate body (s 53), again a court of record, with jurisdiction given under the Act or another Act (s 54). From the Land Appeal Court, a further appeal lies to the Court of Appeal but only on limited grounds - error of law, lack of jurisdiction, or excess of jurisdiction - and only with leave (s 74). The Act sets out the composition of both courts, their powers, procedural rules, and the appointment and conditions of members, judicial registrars, indigenous assessors, and registry officers. It also provides for preliminary conferences, alternative dispute resolution, contempt powers, costs, and the enforcement of orders via the Supreme Court (s 7B). The Act includes extensive transitional and savings provisions dealing with the continuation of the Land Court and the Land Appeal Court from earlier legislation (ss 79-85), the assumption of jurisdiction from the former Land and Resources Tribunal (LRT) (ss 90-91), and validation provisions for the Land Court Rules 2000 (s 93). The dictionary in schedule 2 (referred to in s 3) defines key terms used throughout the Act.

Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in Land Court Act 2000.

161

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Who pays: parties generally bear their own costs unless the court orders otherwise (s.27A). For recommendatory functions (for example certain cultural heritage, environmental or mining hearings) each party ordinarily bears their own costs, but the court may order costs in specific circumstances such as frivolous or out‑of‑jurisdiction objections (s.52C(2)–(3)). This allocates litigation risk and economic incentives directly to private parties unless the court exercises its discretion (s.52C).
Who decides and where discretion sits: appointment and remuneration of members, registrars and associates are executive decisions (Governor in Council; president; Chief Justice for appeal judges) (ss.16, 28, 50A, 62). The president has administrative control of the Land Court and may make directions to manage court business (s.17A; s.22). The rules that govern procedures are subordinate legislation made with judicial concurrence, leaving scope for administrative drafting (s.21).
Behavioural effects on private actors and firms: businesses and individuals involved in land, mining or development projects face a tribunal with broad injunctive and remedial powers (s.7A; s.32H) and procedures that emphasise equity and the substantial merits over technical pleading (s.7). This can increase regulatory and compliance attention on project proponents because injunctive relief and interlocutory orders can halt activity pending hearings (ss.7A(2)(b), 32H).
Compliance burden and timing rules: the Act imposes procedural time limits (for rehearing applications and appeals — 42 days) (ss.12, 31, 65, 75) and allows preliminary conferences and ADR to be used to settle or narrow disputes (ss.27B, 27C). Parties must be prepared to negotiate and, where represented, their lawyers must generally have settlement authority in conference or ADR (ss.27B(2)–(3), 27C(3)).
Concentrated vs diffuse effects: the Act concentrates decision‑making power in appointed judicial members and the president (ss.16, 17A, 61), while costs and operational burdens fall on the parties before the court (s.27A; s.52C). Specific groups — for example the State, mining applicants, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander groups — are given particular procedural or substantive roles (ss.32F–32G, 32H; s.5). That creates predictable benefits for parties who frequently appear before the court and predictable costs for those who must defend or pursue claims.
Implementation risks and transition issues: the Act contains detailed transitional and validation provisions for transferring functions from predecessor bodies (pt.6, esp. ss.86–91, 93–95). Those transitional rules centralise responsibility in the Land Court but require careful management of ongoing proceedings and legacy entitlements (s.91). The president has express power to direct how transferred proceedings are to be managed (s.91(3)–(4)).

The central concept is the Land Court itself, which is a superior court of record (s 4). Its jurisdiction is not inherent but conferred by statute: the Act itself and other Queensland Acts such as the Land Valuation Act 2010, the Mineral Resources Act 1989, the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003, and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003, among others. The Act distinguishes between the judicial jurisdiction of the Land Court (exercised in proceedings) and administrative functions conferred under recommendatory provisions (s 52A). A key concept is that the Land Court is not bound by the rules of evidence and must act according to equity, good conscience, and the substantial merits of the case without regard to legal technicalities or the practice of other courts (s 7). It has all the powers of the Supreme Court for exercising its jurisdiction, including power to grant injunctions, declarations, appoint receivers, and stay proceedings (s 7A). The concept of exclusive jurisdiction is important: where jurisdiction is expressly conferred, it is exclusive (s 5(2)), though parts 3 and 4 (appeals) are not limited by that exclusivity. The Act also creates the Land Appeal Court, which sits with a Supreme Court judge and two members of the Land Court (s 58). Its decisions are final and conclusive subject only to the limited appeal to the Court of Appeal (s 71(2)). The Act establishes judicial registrars as officers who may hear and decide matters prescribed under the rules, with a right of rehearing by a member within 42 days (ss 28-31). Indigenous assessors may be appointed to assist the court in prescribed proceedings, providing advice on matters within their knowledge or experience, but they do not form part of the court (ss 32A-32D). The Act provides for preliminary conferences before a member or judicial registrar, with confidentiality of statements and admissions made (s 27B). The concept of a recommendatory provision (s 52A) identifies provisions under various Acts that confer administrative functions on the Land Court, and division 12 sets out special cost rules for those functions (ss 52B-52C).

Who it affects

The Land Court Act 2000 directly affects a wide range of parties involved in land, resources, native title, and cultural heritage disputes in Queensland. It affects landholders and land users who may be parties to valuation objections under the Land Valuation Act 2010, mining lease applications under the Mineral Resources Act 1989, petroleum lease matters under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004, and environmental authority objections under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The Act also affects native title claim groups and bodies corporate that object to acts under the Commonwealth Native Title Act, where the State is required to ensure the objection is heard by an independent body (s 32E). It affects parties to registered indigenous land use agreements where the State is a party and the agreement provides for referral to the Land Court for mediation, recommendation, or decision (s 32F). The Act affects Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders as groups or members of groups seeking injunctions to stop acts that contravene cultural heritage protection provisions (s 32H). The Act also affects legal practitioners and agents who appear before the court, as they have the same privileges, protection, and immunity as if appearing in the Supreme Court (s 52D). It affects judicial officers - members of the Land Court, who must be lawyers of at least five years standing with extensive experience in land-related matters, mining or petroleum issues, indigenous issues, or another relevant matter (s 16(5)). Members are appointed for up to 15 years and must retire at 70 (ss 16(2), 42). The Act affects judicial registrars, who are appointed to exercise powers prescribed under the rules, must be eligible for admission as a barrister or solicitor, and may be removed only for proven incapacity or misbehaviour (s 28). It affects indigenous assessors appointed to assist in prescribed proceedings (s 32A). It also affects public service officers who may be appointed as acting members or judicial registrars with preservation of rights (ss 19, 47). The Act affects the Supreme Court, as Land Court orders may be enforced in the Supreme Court (s 7B), and the Chief Justice nominates Supreme Court judges to sit on the Land Appeal Court (s 62). The Court of Appeal is affected by the limited right of appeal from the Land Appeal Court (s 74). The Act affects the Minister and the Legislative Assembly through annual reporting requirements (s 77A) and tabling of suspension grounds for members (s 43).

Key duties and rights

The Land Court has a duty to act according to equity, good conscience, and the substantial merits of the case without regard to legal technicalities (s 7). It must take evidence on oath, affirmation, affidavit, or declaration and must record the evidence (s 11). The court has the power to grant relief or remedy, make orders including attachment or committal for disobedience, give effect to equitable or legal grounds of defence or set-off, grant declarations, injunctions, stay proceedings, and appoint receivers (s 7A). It may order that records or information about a proceeding not be made available to the public, and in doing so may have regard to Aboriginal tradition and Island custom (s 7A(3)-(4)). The court may summon witnesses, require production of documents, and punish non-attendance or refusal to give evidence (s 8). However, a person is not required to give evidence that may tend to incriminate the person (s 8(2)). The court has contempt powers similar to the Supreme Court (s 9). Parties to a proceeding have a right to appear personally or by lawyer or agent (s 24). A party dissatisfied with a Land Court decision may apply for leave to have the matter reheard within 42 days on the ground of mistake of fact (s 12). A party dissatisfied with a judicial registrar’s decision may similarly apply for rehearing by a member within 42 days (s 31). Preliminary conferences require parties to identify and discuss issues in an attempt to negotiate settlement; lawyers or agents must have authority to settle or authority to make recommendations (s 27B). ADR processes under the Civil Proceedings Act 2011 part 6 apply to proceedings under part 2 (s 27C), with similar requirements for settlement authority. A party may appeal a Land Court decision to the Land Appeal Court within 42 days (ss 64-65). A party may seek leave from the Court of Appeal to appeal a Land Appeal Court decision on grounds of error of law, lack of jurisdiction, or excess of jurisdiction within 42 days (ss 74-75). The court has jurisdiction to hear objections under the Commonwealth Native Title Act where the State must ensure an independent hearing (s 32E), and to hear applications for enforcement, decisions, or declarations under negotiated agreements (s 32G). Groups or members of groups may apply for injunctions to stop acts contravening cultural heritage protection provisions (s 32H). The court may order costs for a proceeding as it considers appropriate; if it does not, each party bears its own costs (s 27A). For recommendatory provisions, the default is that each party bears its own costs, but the court may order costs in specific circumstances such as frivolous objections, unreasonable adjournments, introduction of new material, or procedural defaults (s 52C). The Land Appeal Court similarly has costs discretion (s 57A).

Penalties and enforcement

The Land Court has power to punish for contempt, with the same power as a Supreme Court judge (s 9(2)). A person is in contempt for failing to comply with an order or undertaking, wilfully insulting a member or court officer, wilfully interrupting proceedings or misbehaving in court, unlawfully obstructing or assaulting someone in attendance, disobeying a lawful order or direction at a hearing, or committing any other contempt (s 9(1)). If the contempt is in the face of the court, a bailiff may take the person into custody using necessary and reasonable force and detain them until the court rises (s 9(3)). Before the court rises, the court may ask the person to explain why they should not be punished, or adjourn the matter to a stated date; if the court asks for an explanation, it may deal with the person immediately (s 9(4)-(5)). The court also has power to make orders for attachment or committal because of disobedience to an order under its general Supreme Court-like powers (s 7A(1)). An order of the Land Court may be enforced in the Supreme Court by filing the order in the Supreme Court (s 7B). A subpoena may be issued to a witness, and the court may punish a person for not attending, refusing to give evidence, or failing to produce documents (s 8). However, a person is not required to give self-incriminating evidence (s 8(2)). The Land Appeal Court similarly has the powers of sections 7A to 9 applied to it (s 72). A stay of a Land Court decision pending an application for rehearing may be granted on conditions and operates for a period not extending past the time when the court refuses leave or rehears the matter (s 26). Similarly, a stay pending appeal to the Land Appeal Court may be granted on conditions and operates until the appeal is decided (s 69). The Act does not create its own criminal penalties; enforcement is through the contempt power and the ability to enforce orders via the Supreme Court. Costs orders can be made under s 27A (for proceedings) and s 52C (for recommendatory functions), and these orders are enforceable under s 7B. The Act also provides that a judicial registrar may not punish for contempt (s 29(3)).

How it interacts with other laws

The Land Court Act 2000 is a procedural and constitutional Act that confers jurisdiction but does not itself create substantive rights or obligations. It operates as the gateway through which other Acts confer jurisdiction on the Land Court. Section 5 expressly provides that the Land Court has the jurisdiction given to it under this Act or another Act, and references the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, section 49A as a source for various Acts conferring jurisdiction. The Land Court’s jurisdiction under other Acts is exclusive when expressly conferred (s 5(2)). The Act lists several recommendatory provisions in section 52A, which include provisions of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003, the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003, the Environmental Protection Act 1994 chapter 5 part 5 division 3 subdivision 3, the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (sections 72, 75-78, 265, 268, 269, 318BC), and the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 (sections 320, 363I). For these recommendatory provisions, the Act applies selected provisions of part 2 as if the performance of the function were a proceeding (s 52B). The Act also interacts with the Commonwealth Native Title Act: section 32E confers jurisdiction to hear objections where the State is required to ensure an independent hearing; section 32F confers jurisdiction for matters under registered indigenous land use agreements; and section 32G confers jurisdiction for negotiated agreements under section 31(1)(b) of the Commonwealth Act. The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 are referenced in section 32H for injunctions to stop contraventions. The Act also interacts with the Civil Proceedings Act 2011, part 6 (ADR provisions), which applies to proceedings under part 2 of this Act (s 27C). It interacts with the Judges (Pensions and Long Leave) Act 1957 for member entitlements (ss 39-40). The Judicial Remuneration Act 2007 governs member salary and allowances (s 38). The Act interacts with the Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991 for nomination of Supreme Court judges to the Land Appeal Court and the regional judges (s 62). The Public Sector Act 2022 governs the employment of the registrar, deputy registrars, and other officers (s 48). The Act also preserves the effect of the Land Court Rules 2000, which are validated notwithstanding the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 (s 93). The Act operates alongside the Land Valuation Act 2010, specifically excluding declarations about whether an objection under that Act is properly made (s 12A(6)). The transitional provisions in part 6 deal with the interaction with the former Land and Resources Tribunal Act 1999, assuming jurisdiction for proceedings already before the LRT (ss 90-91), and with the Land Act 1962 and Land Act 1994 for the continuation of the courts (ss 79-80, 85).

Amendment history

The Land Court Act 2000 has been amended multiple times. Significant amendments include:

2001 No. 33 amended sections 16, 17, and 19 (acting members, qualifications).
2004 No. 43 amended sections 16 and 42 (member retirement age).
2005 No. 70 amended sections 12, 17A (inserted), 27A, 52D, 57, 65, and 75 (rehearing, costs, appeals).
2007 No. 39 made extensive amendments: inserted sections 6A, 6B (later omitted in 2020), section 7A (powers of Supreme Court), sections 32A-32D (indigenous assessors), sections 32E-32H (native title and cultural heritage jurisdiction), sections 86-91 (transitional provisions for LRT abolition). Also amended sections 5, 14, 16, 17A, 20, 39, and 77A.
2008 No. 29 and No. 34 made minor amendments.
2010 No. 7 and No. 31 and No. 39 made amendments related to the Land Valuation Act 2010 and other Acts.
2011 No. 45 substituted section 27C (ADR provisions from Civil Proceedings Act 2011) and amended section 62.
2012 No. 17 inserted sections 77B (approved forms) and part 6 division 3 (validation of Land Court Rules 2000).
2013 No. 35 made substantial amendments including renumbering and relocating section 7A, inserting section 7B (enforcement in Supreme Court), amending sections 12, 14, 27B, 27A, 28-31, 38, 48, 52, 54, 61, 65, and 16 (term of appointment).
2014 No. 45 and No. 47 amended sections 17, 59, 60, and 32G, and inserted part 6 division 4 (transitional for Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014).
2015 No. 8 amended sections 21 and 52D, and inserted section 96 (privileges protection and immunity).
2017 No. 17 inserted sections 28A (acting judicial registrars), 57A (costs in Land Appeal Court), and part 2 division 12 (recommendatory provisions). Amended sections 7A and 27C.
2020 No. 15 made major amendments: omitted sections 6A and 6B; substantially restructured part 2 by relocating and renumbering sections (e.g., former s 33 became s 12A, former s 34 became s 27A, former s 35 became s 52D, former s 36 became s 27B, former s 37 became s 27C). Inserted new sections 27C, 52C, 50A, and part 6 division 6 (transitional and saving provisions). Amended sections 12, 16, 19, 22, 26, 27A, 27B, 27C, 28, 28A, 30A, 32E, 32F, 32G, 32H, 39, 47, 48, 50, 52, 52B, 52D, 72, 77A, and 78.
2021 No. 20 and 2022 No. 34 made minor schedule amendments (superannuation and public sector references).

Litigation history

The Act itself does not recite any case law, and consistent with the instruction, no cases should be named unless the source names them. The Act does not name any specific cases. However, the legislation text does contain provisions that would typically give rise to litigation. For example, the exclusive jurisdiction provision (s 5(2)) and the ouster of jurisdiction provision (s 5(4)) are likely to be litigated to determine the scope of the court’s jurisdiction. The power to grant relief under a declaration of rights (s 12A) and the limitation on declarations about properly made objections under the Land Valuation Act 2010 (s 12A(6)) are potential sources of interpretation disputes. The rehearing provisions (ss 12 and 31) are likely to generate case law about what constitutes a mistake of fact and the 42-day time limit. The costs provisions under s 27A and s 52C, especially the circumstances for departing from the default rule that each party bears its own costs, are commonly litigated. The contempt provisions (s 9) and the powers of attachment and committal (s 7A) are judicially considered. The provisions relating to indigenous assessors (ss 32A-32D) and the requirement to disclose their advice to parties and allow submissions on the advice (s 32D(4)) may be litigated to determine the proper role of assessors. The injunctive relief for cultural heritage matters under s 32H, with its four conditions for granting an injunction, is a likely source of litigation. The limited appeal to the Court of Appeal under s 74, requiring leave and confined to errors of law, lack of jurisdiction, or excess of jurisdiction, has been considered by appellate courts. The transitional provisions, particularly the assumption of jurisdiction from the LRT (ss 90-91) and the validation of the Land Court Rules 2000 (s 93), have probably been the subject of case law interpreting their scope. The Act also contains provisions about member removal only for proven incapacity or misbehaviour by address of the Legislative Assembly (s 43), and judicial registrar removal only for proven incapacity or misbehaviour by the Governor in Council (s 28(3)), which are constitutional protections that may be judicially reviewed.

Gotchas

Practitioners must be alert to several less obvious features. First, the Land Court is not bound by the rules of evidence and must act according to equity and good conscience (s 7). This means traditional evidentiary objections may have less force, and the court can inform itself in any way it considers appropriate. However, this is qualified for recommendatory provisions: s 52B lists which sections apply, and s 7 is not in that list, so for administrative functions the evidence rules may differ. Second, the default position on costs is that each party bears its own costs (s 27A(2)). This is a significant departure from the general rule in civil litigation that costs follow the event. Only if the court makes a specific order does a costs shifting regime apply. For recommendatory provisions, the default is also each party bears its own costs, and costs may only be ordered in specific circumstances such as frivolous objections, unreasonable adjournments, introduction of new material, or procedural defaults (s 52C(3)). Third, an application for rehearing under s 12 must be made within 42 days and is available only on the ground of mistake of fact, not error of law. This is a narrow ground. Similarly, an appeal from a judicial registrar’s decision must be made within 42 days with leave (s 31). The time limits are strict but the court may extend them. Fourth, the Land Appeal Court’s decision is final and conclusive subject only to a limited appeal to the Court of Appeal with leave on error of law, lack of jurisdiction, or excess of jurisdiction (s 74). There is no appeal on questions of fact from the Land Appeal Court. Fifth, the Land Court may make an order prohibiting public access to records or information and may consider Aboriginal tradition and Island custom in doing so (s 7A(3)-(4)). This provision is broader than typical suppression orders. Sixth, the Land Court has exclusive jurisdiction when jurisdiction is expressly conferred (s 5(2)), but this does not limit parts 3 and 4 (appeals). Seventh, a stay pending appeal or rehearing is not automatic - an application affects the decision only if a stay is granted (ss 26, 69). Eighth, the ADR provisions of the Civil Proceedings Act 2011 apply, but the cost provisions of that Act may not fully cover matters, in which case s 27A applies (s 27C(2)). Ninth, when a party is represented by a lawyer or agent at a preliminary conference, the representative must have authority to settle or to make a recommendation to the party (s 27B(3)). This is a mandatory requirement; failure to have such authority could lead to costs orders or procedural consequences. Tenth, indigenous assessors are not part of the court and their advice must be disclosed to parties who must be given an opportunity to make submissions (s 32D). Advocates should carefully scrutinise assessor advice and be prepared to challenge it. Eleventh, the definition of recommendatory provision (s 52A(g)) includes a catch-all for any other provision that confers an administrative function on the Land Court, which may extend beyond the listed Acts. Twelfth, the Land Court can be constituted by a single member, but the Act does not require that member to be a judge - members are appointed from the legal profession with at least five years standing (s 16). The court is not a superior court of record in the same constitutional sense as the Supreme Court, though it has the same powers.

How to comply

Compliance with the Land Court Act 2000 depends on the role of the person or entity. For a party to proceedings, the key compliance obligations include: filing notices of appeal or applications for rehearing within the 42-day time limits (ss 12, 31, 65, 75); ensuring that any lawyer or agent appearing at a preliminary conference has actual authority to settle or to make a recommendation (s 27B(3)); attending ADR processes with authority to settle (s 27C(3)); complying with all orders and directions of the court, including procedural directions under s 22; and attending when summoned as a witness and producing documents (s 8). For a legal practitioner, compliance requires understanding the relaxed evidentiary rules (s 7) and the ability of the court to make orders for attachment or committal (s 7A). Practitioners must also advise clients that the default cost rule is each party bears its own costs, and that cost orders in recommendatory proceedings are limited (ss 27A, 52C). For government agencies (such as the Department of Resources, the Department of Environment and Science, or the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships), compliance involves ensuring that objections under relevant Acts (e.g., Land Valuation Act 2010, Mineral Resources Act 1989, Environmental Protection Act 1994) are properly made and that the Land Court is seized of jurisdiction. When the court is performing an administrative function under a recommendatory provision, the cost default applies and agencies should be aware of the limited circumstances for costs orders against them (s 52C). For the Land Court registry, compliance involves keeping minutes of proceedings and records of decisions as directed by the president (s 52), and managing the filing and service of documents. The president must prepare an annual report within four months after the end of each financial year and give it to the Minister, who must table it in the Legislative Assembly within 14 days (s 77A). The president must also approve forms for use under the Act (s 77B). For judicial registrars, compliance includes exercising only the powers prescribed under the rules and not exercising contempt powers (s 29(3)). They must not be subject to direction or control when exercising judicial or quasi-judicial powers other than as provided under the Act (s 30). For members, compliance includes not practising a profession likely to conflict with duty, and resigning if chosen as a member of the Legislative Assembly (s 20). They must also retire at 70 (s 42). For persons dealing with the court, understanding the exclusive jurisdiction provision (s 5(2)) is critical - if jurisdiction is expressly conferred on the Land Court, no other court can entertain the proceeding. However, the Act does not oust the supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, as the Land Court is not a superior court of unlimited jurisdiction. The Act also provides that a proceeding may be brought for a declaration about a matter done or to be done under the Act or another Act giving jurisdiction, and for construction of legislation in exclusive jurisdiction proceedings, but not about whether a document under the Land Valuation Act 2010 is a properly made objection (s 12A).