It may sound a bit odd – but efforts to recognise the rights of rivers aim to give rivers legal standing, either by treating a river as a ‘legal person’ or by appointing guardians to act in its interests. Legal personhood is a mechanism that allows a non-human entity, such as a company, to hold rights and duties in law. Campaigns for legal rights for rivers have taken place both internationally and closer to home, including in various counties in England. Proponents argue that recognising the rights of rivers improves environmental protection and can address environmental harm more directly than traditional approaches, while critics question compatibility with existing legal models and the practicalities of enforcement.
A Parliamentary briefing dated March 2026 outlines the concept of the rights of rivers, and explores the implications of affording such rights through a series of case study examples. It also sets out developments in England, as well as stakeholder and Parliamentary commentary. The briefing document can be found here in the HoC Library.