The principle case in point is about which party should have the right to decide on fishing and hunting for grouse and other small game in the mountain areas above the cultivation limit - the Sami village or the state.
Gällivare district court ruled in favor of Girja: the Sami village has sole right of disposal over hunting and fishing. Even if the state owns the land, the Sami, on the basis of the presumption of antiquity, have the right to rule over hunting and fishing, according to the district court.
But the state appealed and the court of law reached a different conclusion. It stated in its judgment that Girjas has a greater right than the state for hunting and fishing in the area of the Sami village, but that the Sami village is not entitled to grant hunting and fishing rights without the consent of the state.
The ruling was seen as difficult to interpret, and it was up to the Supreme Court to clarify the matter. On Thursday, January 23, HD's assessment will be announced, which will thus settle a long dispute.