Art and Cultural Property Law

We have specialist, sought-after capabilities in resolving disputes to artworks and cultural property objects. In particular, we regularly advise on and help resolve claims based on the following broad categories of disputes:

•    Ownership (including allegedly stolen, looted or illicitly traded works of art and antiquities)
•    Authenticity and Attribution
•    Condition (including insurance claims)

While the vast majority of our matters are resolved by way of confidential out-of-court settlements, we can draw on a team of specialised litigators in our dedicated Dispute Resolution team and regularly advise on Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms where these are suitable.

We have a particular expertise in resolving claims to artworks and other collectibles that may or may not have been looted in the context of the colonial era, World War II or other conflicts, past and current.

We provide additional advice to collectors and art market participants, including on their compliance obligations and due diligence processes.

We advise individual and trustee or executor clients in relation to their art collections and buildings and land of heritage quality.

We deal with the import and export of works of art, conditional exemption from inheritance tax for heritage quality property, negotiating access and other undertakings, offers in lieu of tax, in situ loan agreements and the use of artworks as security.

We also act in the establishment of maintenance funds, having a particular specialism in heritage land and the negotiation of undertakings and heritage land management plans for gardens, parkland and other heritage quality landscapes.