National water law lies at the heart of the management of freshwater resources. The creation and enforcement of legal rights and duties for water rights, water quality and water services only exist within the framework of a national legal system. Similarly the institutions and structures for water resource management and water governance need a sound legal framework. The symposium will focus on water resources, rather than service provision, and will draw on experience from different jurisdictions. Best practice will be highlighted based on approaches that have successfully tackled universal problems.