On 7 November 2025, Matrix Chambers co‑hosted a landmark webinar with Love Our Ouse, Lewes District Council, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, the Environmental Law Foundation, and Hogan Lovells. The event explored how UK councils and communities can embed the Rights of Rivers approach into local governance. A practical guide for local communities and local authorities to recognise your local rivers’ rights has been made available to download.
Key Themes
- From theory to practice: Rivers recognised as subjects with intrinsic value, not just resources.
- Local leadership: Councils like Lewes and Basingstoke & Deane shared their journeys from motions to charters, embedding river rights into local plans, flood management, and water quality policies.
- Legal pathways: Hogan Lovells outlined options – Acts of Parliament, common law rulings, and local byelaws – while highlighting risks and opportunities in integrating Rights of Nature into the UK system.
- Community power: Love Our Ouse demonstrated how festivals, citizen science, and grassroots organising can shift narratives and build legitimacy.
- Representation models: From guardianship partnerships (River Usk) to catchment‑based approaches (River Wye, River Roding), councils were urged to consider who speaks for the river.
If you would like to follow up on the session or contact the speakers, please reach out to the Love Our Ouse team at info@loveourouse.org.
Additional resources:
- Presentation slides
- Chat Transcript
- Webinar recording here