HL BaSE Impact Report 2025 - Flipbook - Page 20
Our Clients
EMEA
Rights of Rivers
After two years of dedicated work,
including a River Rights Summit and
the drafting of a Charter for the River
Ouse, Lewes District Council passed a
groundbreaking motion to support a
Charter for the Rights of the River Ouse,
the first of its kind in the UK.
The Charter recognises the River Ouse’s
rights, including the right to exist in
a natural state, to flow and be free of
pollution, and to have native biodiversity.
HL BaSE worked with long-time pro bono
client, Environmental Law Foundation,
alongside Love Our Ouse, barrister Monica
Feria-Tinta and many other stakeholders
to draft the Charter.
Whilst local authorities are not able to
create legal personality for rivers in this
way, the River Charter approach paves the
way for discussions about giving nature
legal rights in the UK. It is innovative
and revolutionary and recognises how
important river ecosystems are to humans
and other species.
Following this incredible success, we
partnered with Environmental Law
Foundation to publish a new practical
guide for local communities and local
authorities to recognise their local rivers’
rights. Access the guide here.
