Internal Drainage & Water Management Specialists

Why choose Wilkin Chapman

We’re known as the ‘go-to’ firm for internal drainage boards and water management bodies, having first worked for Alford Drainage Board in 1920.

We have extensive experience and knowledge of legal issues that are intrinsic to drainage boards. Our drainage solicitors take an active cross-departmental approach to advising water management bodies.

We’ll provide clear advice from the outset, plainly setting out the options available with a pragmatic approach. Our solicitors work collaboratively with public bodies and parties, to reach agreements quickly and efficiently so matters can move forward with ease.

Make an enquiry Meet our experts

Our drainage services

Regulatory

Our regulatory and public law team are experienced in advising on a range of issues from data protection and information law to the implementation of policies that ensure compliance with laws affecting public bodies. Their work often involves reviews and investigations, as well as providing advice on governance and constitutions.
The team is led by Jonathan Goolden, the Monitoring Officer for the Board Authority. He and the team have been recognised by the Legal 500 for their work with local authorities, national organisations, police and fire authorities, and city councils.
Agriculture and commercial property
Our agriculture and commercial property teams are passionate about the drainage and water management industry. The team are familiar with the increasingly important role played by internal drainage boards - not just in the agricultural world but also in terms of populated areas.
The internal drainage board property team is led by Catherine Harris, who sits on the ADA Policy and Finance Committee. Catherina is also recognised for her work in acting for internal drainage boards by the Legal 500.
The team undertakes a variety of work in looking after the property interests of internal drainage boards. Examples include providing advice on:
- Legal agreements for seawalls
- Transferring assets and acquisition of land
- Byelaw contraventions
- National infrastructure projects
Employment law

The employment law team have worked with a variety of internal drainage board clients and has a wealth of experience advising clients across both public and private sectors.
From day-to-day HR advice to conducting investigations and providing whistleblowing advice, our employment specialists have the skills and knowledge to tackle all aspects of employment law. They offer a holistic approach to managing people strategies, helping you to identify problems at an early stage, through to representing you at a tribunal.

Association of Drainage Authorities

We’re Associate Members of the Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA).

We take an active interest in the industry, acting as regular contributors to the ADA Gazette and speaking at regional ADA events.

The team also contributed to the ADA Good Governance Guide for Internal Drainage Board Members.

Examples of our work

Land acquisition for purposes or building new pumping stations and flood alleviation schemes
Land disposal and grant of easements in compliance with the Land Drainage Act 1991
Ensuring that board interests are protected when they are affected by nationally significant infrastructure projects such as new roads, railways, and cables
Granting of consents under byelaws for development to take place close to internal drainage board maintained watercourses
Advising on byelaw contraventions and providing practical guidance on remedies under criminal and civil laws