§9-9-58. Construction of article; effect of defect in proceedings upon collection of assessment; remedies provided in article exclusive.

The provisions of this article shall be liberally construed to promote the storing of beneficial water, leveeing, ditching, draining and otherwise to provide protection from flooding of wet and overflowed lands, and for flood prevention or the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water. The collection of the assessment shall not be defeated, when the proper notices have been given, by reason of any defect in the proceedings occurring prior to the order of the court confirming the final report of the viewers, but such order or orders shall be conclusive and final evidence that all prior proceedings were regular and according to law, unless they were appealed from. If on appeal the court shall deem it just and proper to release any person or to modify his assessment or liability, it shall in no manner affect the rights and legality of any person other than the appellant, and the failure to appeal from the order of the court within the time specified shall be a waiver of any illegality in the proceedings, and the remedies provided for in this article shall exclude all other remedies.

(Acts 1965, No. 685, p. 1246, §56.)