
Fine Art and Cultural Property
We have an extensive team of lawyers with significant experience in the world of fine art, including representing auction houses, art dealers, personal collectors, copyright owners, charitable organizations, museums, libraries, and art galleries.
Our lawyers advise clients in all aspects of art law, from dispute resolution to contract drafting, as well as transactional and strategic advice. The firm’s global platform assists our lawyers in advising on complex cross-border issues.
Our team’s experience in the world of fine art extends beyond the practice of law. Several colleagues have lectured around the world, and published on topics ranging from resale royalties to the illegal export of art. Others have held positions in government, including being a member of the Executive Board of Spain’s Ministry of Culture and serving on the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts in the United States.
We have advised on a range of disputes over the ownership, provenance, and authenticity of art works, including cases involving forgery, theft and historical misappropriation of assets. Our experience includes claims related to cultural property and national heritage law, as well as insurance disputes and copyright infringement cases.
Our Fine Art and Cultural Property lawyers also advise on the pursuit and defense of professional negligence claims, including claims against auction houses and valuers.
We represent clients in all aspects of the dispute resolution process, from pre-action negotiation to mediation, litigation and arbitration. Our lawyers work proactively to achieve the desired outcome and aim throughout to resolve disputes in a cost-effective manner and, where possible, to settle matters out of court.
We assist clients throughout the globe on a variety of matters, including:
- Copyright- and technology-related advice
- Art-related transactions
- Corporate law
- Estate law
- Trust law
- Tax law
- Insurance issues
Thought Leadership
On 3 February 2025, the United States reached agreements with Canada and Mexico to pause tariffs on imports from those countries in exchange for actions on border security, illegal drugs, and immigration.
The Hon. Jim Chalmers MP, Federal Treasurer and the Hon. Clare O'Neil MP, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness issued a joint media release on 16 February 2025 titled "Albanese Government clamping down on foreign purchase of established homes and land banking".
On 21 February 2025, President Trump ordered three additional steps to implement the America First Trade Policy announced on 20 January 20 2025.
On 20 January 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order declaring a National Energy Emergency.