Art disputes
Challenge to conditions of sale
Successfully defending a claim challenging the enforceability of an auction house’s conditions of sale.
Alleged breach of a title warranty
Advising dealers in a hotly disputed claim alleging breach of a title warranty.
Bidding dispute
Advising an art collector on a bidding dispute with a major auction house.
Enforcement of an authenticity warranty
Acting in the defence of proceedings seeking to enforce an authenticity warranty in conditions of sale.
Professional negligence dispute
Representing an art dealer in a professional negligence claim in the High Court against its former advisers.
Enforcement of sale contract
Acting in proceedings to enforce a contract for the sale of a sculpture to our client.
Title dispute
Successfully resolving a dispute over ownership of a historically significant object.
Attribution and description dispute
Acting for the sellers of artworks sold through a dealer in a dispute with the buyer regarding the attribution and description of the objects.
Commercial advice
Due diligence in art acquisitions
Advising a government institution on best practice due diligence in art transactions.
Purchase agreement
Advising a government institution on a contract for the acquisition of a sculpture.
Digital artworks
Advising collectors on the sale and loan of digital artworks.
Commission agreement
Advising a government institution on the commission of a large piece of public art.
Consumer rights legislation
Advising on issues relating to the EU Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU.
Standard consignment terms and conditions
Advising a number of dealer organisations on standard consignment terms and conditions.
The Association of Art and Antique Dealers (LAPADA)
Acted for LAPADA in developing the standard terms of sale for use by it's over 600 members.
Regulatory and compliance
Export licence application
Advising an overseas art collector in relation to an application to export an artwork which was found by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art to meet the Waverley Criteria.
CITES
Advising in relation to a police investigation and subsequent proceedings relating to the sale of an item containing ivory.
Alleged bribery
Advising dealers in a dispute concerning an alleged secret commission payable on a transaction involving a net return price.
Compliance with court orders
Advising an auction house on compliance with a court order permitting the seizure of consigned goods in its possession.
Intellectual property
Copyright infringement
Advising an auction house in relation to disputes relating to a consigned artwork which was alleged to infringe a third party’s copyright.
Art commissions - ownership of copyright
Advising on issues relating to the ownership of copyright in the context of the commission of an artwork.
Artist’s Resale Right
Advising an auction house in relation to whether a particular category of works for sale was subject to the Artist's Resale Right Regulations.
Trademark infringement
Advising an auction house in relation to potential liability for use of a third-party trademark in a catalogue.