Welcome to Art Law Studio: the specialist law firm advising the art market on contracts, copyright, deals and disputes. We work closely with fellow experts in the UK and overseas to protect our clients’ interests in a dynamic, fast-paced, global market.
We work hard to understand our clients’ objectives and deliver a high-quality service that adds value and is cost-effective. As one of the only law firms in the world with a total focus on the art market, we are very well-placed to advise our clients on their most important art matters.
Our clients are leading international artists and their estates, advisors, collectors and dealers. Expertise includes:
Advising on the sale/purchase of art, both privately and at auction
Advising on disputes arising from art transactions, including over title/ownership, authenticity, attribution, provenance and non-payment
Bringing ‘rediscovered’ works to market and navigating authentication committees in the UK and abroad
Advising on the consignment of art from the perspective of both consignor and consignee
Advising on disputes arising from art consignments, including damage to work, breach of contract and non-payment
Advising on representation agreements between artists and galleries and associated disputes
Advising on commission agreements from the perspective of both the artist and commissioner
Advising on terms of business and other documentation for art advisors
Advising on the law of agency, the duties owed by an agent to their principal and disputes arising from alleged breach of fiduciary duties
Advising and negotiating loans of art to institutions and others
Advising on the international movement of art including import and export restrictions
Advising and negotiating loans using art as collateral for borrowers
Advising insureds on art insurance coverage and associated disputes
Advising on regulatory matters, including anti money-laundering (AML) laws and regulations
Advising on the exploitation and protection of copyright and related intellectual property rights including “moral rights” and the Artist Resale Right (Droit de Suite)
Advising on publishing agreements between publishers and contributors
Legacy and estate planning for artists and collectors
When advising on transactions, we adopt a commercial, solution-driven approach to mitigate risk whilst getting the deal done. We know which points to take and which to give. We work swiftly but never rush.
When disputes arise, we aim to resolve them promptly and discretely. Where litigation cannot be avoided, we fight hard to win, mindful always of our clients’ objectives and the inherent risk and cost of litigation.
Our total independence, deep art law expertise and network of leading experts allows us to assemble the very best team in the UK and overseas to meet our clients’ objectives.
