Case: Pueblo of Santa Clara, No. 356 Pueblo of Nambe, No. 358 v. The United States
Abbreviation: Pueblo of Santa Clara v. United States
Decision Date: 1982-09-24
Docket Number: Nos. 356 and 358
Citation: 231 Ct. Cl. 1036
Volume: 231
Reporter: United States Court of Claims Reports
Court: United States Court of Claims
Jurisdiction: United States
Parties: Pueblo of Santa Clara, No. 356 Pueblo of Nambe, No. 358 v. The United States
Judges: 
Pages: 1036–1036

Head Matter:
Nos. 356 and 358.
September 24, 1982
Pueblo of Santa Clara, No. 356 Pueblo of Nambe, No. 358 v. The United States

Opinion:
Indian claims; pleading and practice; dismissal; failure to prosecute; right to counsel. — On August 3, 1982 Trial Judge Judith Ann Yannello filed recommended opinions denying defendant's motions to dismiss these Indian claims cases for failure to prosecute. The trial judge concluded that delays in the prosecution of plaintiffs' claims between 1978 and the fall of 1981 were caused by confusion over the status of plaintiffs' counsel and that this confusion was due at least in part to the Government's own administration of attorney contract approval and payment matters. Following the withdrawal of plaintiffs' attorney in the fall of 1981, plaintiffs have attempted to obtain new counsel and have succeeded in that effort; the delays occasioned by the search for new counsel are excusable in light of Congress' desire that Indian claimants have the benefit of counsel in presenting claims under the Indian Claims Act. On September 24, 1982 the court, by order, adopted the recommended decisions of the trial judge as the basis for its judgments in these cases and denied defendant's motions to dismiss, with further proceedings before the trial judge.