10th Circuit rejects Navajo court jurisdiction

Friday, July 20, 2007  

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday refused to enforce a Navajo Nation court decision, citing the tribe's lack of jurisdiction in a long-running employment dispute.

The state of Utah operated a state-owned health clinic within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. Employees of the clinic sued in tribal court over alleged discrimination and other health care issues.

A Navajo judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. But when they tried to enforce the decision, a federal judge said the tribal court lacked jurisdiction.

An appeal to the 10th Circuit led to a reconsideration by the federal judge, who determined that the tribal court had jurisdiction over some of the Utah defendants but lacked jurisdiction against others. A second trip to the appeals court resulted in Wednesday's ruling, which said the Navajo Nation cannot hear any of the claims because they don't impact tribal self-governance.

Get the Story:
Appeals court backs state in clinic dispute (The Salt Lake Tribune 7/20)

Court Decision:
MacArthur v. San Juan County (July 18, 2007)

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