Practice Area
Water Law & Regulation
From regulatory reform and licensing to implementation, infrastructure arrangements and investment.
Overview
We advise on legal and regulatory matters across the water sector, combining deep experience in water-sector regulation and licensing with an understanding of the practical issues that arise through implementation, service delivery, infrastructure development and investment.
Our experience extends across the regulatory lifecycle — from the development and reform of water-sector legal frameworks and the drafting of laws and implementing regulations, through the development of licensing frameworks, to post-enactment advisory support, regulatory interpretation, water-services matters and the legal structuring of water infrastructure investments. This enables us to approach water-sector matters with an understanding of both the regulatory framework and how it operates in practice.
Key Areas of Work
Water Law & Regulatory Assessment and Reform
Water Resources Regulation
Water Services Regulation
Water-Sector Licensing Frameworks
Legislative & Regulatory Drafting
Implementation & Regulatory Advisory
Regulatory Compliance, End-User Complaints & Objections
Water Infrastructure Arrangements & Investment
Selected Experience
A track record across water-sector regulation, licensing, implementation and investment
A selection of matters and projects reflecting the experience of the LawArche legal team, including work undertaken by our consultants in senior roles prior to joining the firm.
Saudi Water Sector Regulatory Reform
Led the legal work for a major reform of the Saudi water-sector regulatory framework, including the assessment and development of the legal and regulatory framework governing water resources and water services.
Saudi Water Law — Implementing Regulations
Led the legal advisory and drafting work for the Implementing Regulations of the Saudi Water Law governing Water Resources and Water Services.
Water-Sector Licensing Frameworks
Reviewed and developed the regulatory licensing framework for water-sector activities across the water-services value chain, including production, transmission, strategic storage, distribution and retail supply, wastewater collection and transportation, and wastewater treatment.
Post-Enactment Regulatory & Implementation Support
Provided continuing legal advisory support following the issuance of the Implementing Regulations for Water Resources and Water Services, including the assessment of emerging legal and regulatory issues arising under the new framework and support in relation to complaints and objections submitted by water end users.
Saudi Water Code
Developed an innovative regulatory framework connecting reliable data on water-source availability and renewability with licensing decisions, helping direct industrial and agricultural users and investors towards appropriate water resources and supporting sustainable resource allocation.
Water Infrastructure Investment
Provided legal advisory support in connection with the structuring of a Sharia-compliant investment financing arrangement for the development of nine water treatment facilities.
Discuss a Water Law or Regulatory Matter
Speak with our team about water law, regulatory frameworks, licensing, regulatory reform or water-sector projects and investment.