Law, crime and regulation

An update to the offensive weapons bill (2017-19) could have a negative impact on the shipping of antique swords and knives.

MADAM – ATG readers may know about the online petition created by dealer Alastair Gibson to raise the ivory ‘de minimis’ in the government’s ivory ban (Freya Simms, chief executive of LAPADA, writes). We have just written to our members, in case they wish to support this, to pass on a tip about filling in the online form. I am passing on this information to ATG readers also.

The so-called de minimis rule – the requirement to register items containing less than 10% of ivory prior to sale – has been criticised in the House of Lords as the ivory bill continues its progress through parliament.

A Washington DC appeals court has upheld a decision to allow a ‘Nazi forced sale’ claim against a collection of medieval devotional art to go to trial in the US.

Taking action against con artists is difficult but a new data protection law can help...

New culture minister Jeremy Wright, appointed after a Cabinet reshuffle prompted by the resignation of David Davis and Boris Johnson, is being asked to prioritise the introduction of digital export licences for art works in time for Brexit.

A coin and antiquities dealer has been arrested as part of an international investigation into a £35m crime network dealing in looted artefacts.

The House of Lords plans to recommend amendments to the ivory bill in the hope that it will be “less damaging” to the art and antiques trade.

MADAM – I write in support of the views expressed in BADA chairman Michael Cohen’s letter (ATG No 2349), written in response to another letter supporting the ban (ATG No 2348).

The government’s imminent ivory law change has forced an international collectors’ conference to pull out of London and move overseas.