Stephenson Harwood LLP

Our art law team has a deep understanding of the art market. Our lawyers combine extensive experience of advising clients operating in the art market with a passionate interest in art and cultural history. Many in the team have first-hand experience of working within the art industry.

Our team comprises lawyers from all of the firm’s main practice areas and advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters. As well as advising on art and cultural property law issues, we can provide clients with general commercial, tax, employment, real estate and corporate advice. As an international firm, we can also provide clients with a range of local advice.

We act for a diverse range of clients including:

• artists
• art advisers and valuers
• auctioneers
• collectors
• dealers
• financial institutions
• Government bodies
• national galleries and museums
• private galleries
• trade associations.
   

We advise on an equally diverse range of matters:

• acquisitions and disposals of art
• agency and commission agreements
• attribution and authenticity disputes
• borrowing and lending against art
• CITES regulations
• criminal law
• competition law 
• corporate strategy and investment
• export licensing
• insurance claims
• intellectual property
• internet trading and distance selling
• professional negligence disputes
• regulatory and compliance
• risk management
• stolen and looted art
• standard terms of business
• tax and VAT
• title disputes.