Part 4 Determinations of the Federal Court Division 1A General Section 84 proceedings unless the Minister gives the Federal Court written notice, within the period specified in the notice under section 66, that the Minister does not want to be a party. Joining parties (5) The Federal Court may at any time join any person as a party to the proceedings, if the Court is satisfied that the person’s interests may be affected by a determination in the proceedings and it is in the interests of justice to do so. Persons wanting to exercise public right of access or use (5A) If: (a) a person wants to become a party to the proceedings; and (b) the Federal Court is satisfied that the person’s interests may be affected by a determination in the proceedings merely because the person has a public right of access over, or use of, any of the area covered by the application; the Court: (c) may make appropriate orders to ensure that the person’s interests are properly represented in the proceedings; but (d) need not allow more than one such person to become a party to the proceedings in relation to each area covered by such a public right of access or use. Parties may withdraw before first hearing of proceeding (6) In addition to any other rights to withdraw from the proceedings, any party to the proceedings, other than the applicant, may, at any time before the first hearing of the proceedings starts, cease to be a party by giving written notice to the Court. (6A) In determining, for the purposes of subsection (6), when the first hearing of the proceedings starts, disregard directions hearings. 248 Compilation No. 47 Native Title Act 1993 Compilation date: 25/09/2021 Authorised Version C2021C00450 registered 22/10/2021 Registered: 22/10/2021