Commercial Art Contracts

Our art law team looks after artists from a diverse range of disciplines and backgrounds, who use many different mediums to create their art.

We count ourselves very fortunate to have advised on some of the most breath-taking deals and private treaty transactions in the art trade. From drafting the sales agreements to conducting deep due diligence into artworks, our clients’ best interests are always at the forefront. We can advise you on the most suitable deal structure and talk you through the risks and rewards in each individual case. Our team has experience advising on a wide-range of commercial contracts including multijurisdictional transactions.

For example, advising the Herman-De-Stern Foundation on the ground-breaking collaboration and loan arrangement concerning a priceless object and a cancelled £40m sale at Sotheby’s. Following the cancellation Sotheby’s brokered a deal with The Al-Thani Collection Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose core mission is to advance and promote arts and culture, including the payment of Sotheby’s lost commission.

If things go wrong, we are called upon to assist in a variety of disputes. These might include disagreements about consignments, damaged artworks, commission arrangements or breach of contract. We understand the reputational damage that such disputes can inflict upon artists and work with our clients to achieve the best possible outcome. We have been involved in some of the UK’s most publicised art litigation trials, meaning we are well-equipped to advise you if you find yourself in the midst of a legal dispute.