French Drain in Garden

[allanxmac]

I have a waterlogged garden with clay soil. I have neighbouring gardens on all 3 sides and have been looking into a french drain.
If i create a slope do I need to use pipes and if so do they have to have a soakaway or can this just drain into the ground?
Which is the best way to do it? Pipes or not?

[welsh brickie]

The best pipe is a flexible plastic field drain 100mm pipe laid and covered with 10mm chippings