19-10-24: [Contesting claims; jurisdiction of district court; appeal and error.]

The district court of the county in which the lands or the major portion thereof may be located which are embraced in any lease issued under or affected by the provisions of this act [19-10-1, 19-10-12 to 19-10-25 NMSA 1978], shall have original exclusive jurisdiction as a court of equity for the determination of controversies between persons or corporations respecting their rights in, or claim under such lease, and no such controversies shall be considered or determined by the commissioner of public lands. Appeals to and writs of error from the supreme court shall be allowed in such cases, as provided in Section 16 [19-10-23 NMSA 1978] herein.