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Stanley Gibbons Group says Mallett claim now resolved

24 June 2019

Stamp and coin dealership Stanley Gibbons Group is due to receive £850,000 to resolve “all outstanding claims involving certain former directors of Mallett”, it announced on June 14.

A lawyer writes: Philatelist’s fight highlights the issue of authorative bodies and their judgments

20 May 2019

In 2006 a well-known philatelist submitted three important penny red stamps on cover to the Royal Philatelic Society (‘RPSL’) for an opinion on authenticity. The response came that they had been ‘faked’. The process was repeated in 2014 and the same reply received.

Simon de Pury

Judge dismisses appeal against Simon de Pury in court case over 'gentleman's agreement’

17 May 2019

The Court of Appeals in London has upheld a decision that said advisor Simon de Pury was entitled to a $10m fee on the strength of a handshake agreement.

Park by Frederick Deane

Appeal to help find missing painting after prolific pensioner art thief jailed

04 April 2019

A prolific pensioner art thief has been sentenced to two years in jail. Police are now calling for help to locate a painting that he stole from a private members’ club in London.

Hals

Sotheby’s and Old Master dealer reach out of court settlement over disputed Frans Hals painting

02 April 2019

Old Master picture dealer Mark Weiss has agreed an out-of-court settlement with Sotheby’s in the case of a $10m painting the auction house believed to be a forgery.

Tim Maxwell
Contract

A lawyer writes: Get an agreement right or face a sleepless night

25 February 2019

Initial drafting on a deal is vitally important if later disputes take place.

Richard Green gallery in New Bond Street

Richard Green gallery to defend High Court claim over €5m paintings sale

14 February 2019

London gallery Richard Green has said it will defend a claim made in the High Court by a client who purchased two Old Masters for €5m at TEFAF Maastricht last year.

A lawyer writes: The deals without full disclosure of final price

21 January 2019

Sellers should be wary about Private Treaty Sales where the exact result is hidden

Gallery takes legal action against Christie’s over private sale of Francis Bacon painting

16 January 2019

A legal claim lodged against Christie’s in New York has highlighted some of the practices relating to private sales that top-end auctioneers make behind closed doors.

Christie’s saleroom in Paris

Christie’s wins fight in France to charge resale right on buyers not sellers

07 January 2019

Supreme Court in Paris rules that auction house can now charge buyers rather than sellers for artist levy.

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Legal landmarks: high-profile cases and incoming legislation to watch out for in 2019

21 December 2018

The arrival of the ivory ban in late 2019 is not the only piece of imminent legislation that the antiques trade should be aware of. The efforts of global art and antiques trade body CINOA are currently focused on two broad issues: anti-money-laundering legislation and laws surrounding the import of cultural goods.

Franses

Tapestry gallery wins ‘David vs Goliath’ court battle against landlord to stay in St James’s home

05 December 2018

Tapestry and textiles specialist Franses won a landmark Supreme Court case against its landlord the Cavendish Hotel, allowing it to continue to operate from the London gallery that has been its home for more than 25 years.

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Sotheby’s refutes $380m fraud claim filed in New York court

05 October 2018

Sotheby’s has described a claim filed in New York that it conspired to defraud the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev as “entirely without merit”.

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’Giotto’ export an issue for Italy says High Court

06 August 2018

The owner of a rediscovered painting attributed to Giotto has lost a High Court battle over its export from the EU.

Madonna and Child

Owner of rediscovered Giotto valued at £10m loses High Court battle over export

27 July 2018

The owner of a rediscovered early Renaissance painting has been blocked from taking the work to Switzerland after a High Court judge rejected her claim over the granting of an export licence.

Carnegie Library

US rare book dealer charged in alleged $8m rare books theft from Carnegie Library

26 July 2018

A US book dealer has resigned from The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) following charges being made against him in connection with the theft of $8m of books from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Persian guard relief

Persian sculpture seized from London dealer in New York to be returned to Iran

25 July 2018

A Persian limestone relief sculpture is to be returned to Iran, a New York court has ruled.

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'Nazi-loot' claim over $250m Guelph Treasure can go to trial in US federal court

13 July 2018

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

Giotto

Art dealer in court over export of Giotto painting

29 June 2018

A London art dealer is in a high court battle with the Arts Council over the export of a Giotto di Bondone painting valued at £10m.