Art Law
The creation, ownership, and transfer of art and antiquities raise a multitude of legal issues, including valuation, sale, transfer of property, and both civil and criminal liabilities. Theft, counterfeiting, and damage are persistent challenges in the world of art, and resolving such disputes is often complicated by ambiguous provenance, conflicting claims, and outdated legal provisions. Moreover, whether housing art collections privately or within public institutions — or addressing repatriation of cultural treasures lost under colonial rule — each scenario presents novel legal complexities.
Our Firm’s copyright and cultural heritage team offers sophisticated legal counsel that spans intellectual property, contractual law, constitutional and tort law, commercial and international law — all with an emphasis on risk mitigation. We understand the distinctive needs and sensitivities of the arts community, and deliver tailored advice to address its unique challenges and expectations.
We strives to serve as a premier legal resource for artists, galleries, museums, governmental and non-governmental organisations, embassies, curators, collectors, and academic institutions engaged in the arts, antiquities, and cultural heritage sectors.
- We advise on acquisition, valuation, sale and transfer of art and antiquities.
- We handle disputes involving theft, damage, forgery, and counterfeiting — utilising expert evidence, negotiation, and, where necessary, litigation.
- We assist institutions in ensuring compliance with registration and export restrictions under national laws.
- We support repatriation efforts, informed by both domestic law and international protocols
L.S. Davar & Company’s multidisciplinary art and antiquities practice navigates a diverse legal terrain—including IP protection, contract law, heritage conservation, export controls, restitution, and dispute resolution—providing elegantly precise solutions that safeguard cultural heritage while facilitating commercial and institutional objectives.