Members of 3 Verulam Buildings act in a variety of art related matters, handling a range of work for auction houses, dealers and sellers. In Thwaytes v Sotheby’s, Andrew Onslow KC represented Sotheby’s auction house after it was alleged to have negligently catalogued an original art piece as a copy of Caravaggio’s Cardsharps. In FAP v Inigo Philbrick Limited & Others, Yash Bheeroo is representing German art finance firm FAP, in a claim alleging a company linked to the eponymous American convicted of wire fraud in May 2022, stole and sold valuable artworks belonging to the claimant, while fraudulently misrepresenting their status. Furthermore, Cleon Catsambis represented Belford Investment, while Angharad Start acted on behalf of Sotheby’s in Jeddi v Sotheby’s; Pishvaie; and Belford Investment Limited, a matter focused on the disputed ownership and provenance of a Fatimid rock crystal jar valued at approximately £12m.

With experience acting for buyers, sellers and auction houses in complex disputes, the barristers at 5 Stone Buildings are considered a ‘first port of call for contract or art related disputes‘. In Gelber v Christie’s, Henry Legge KC was instructed against Christie’s in relation to its alleged negligent handling of a US$100m collection. Luke Harris is acting for the claimants in QIPCO and Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani v Eskenazi, a claim for misrepresentation, breach of contract of sale, and negligence connected to the purchase of antiquities claimed to be modern forgeries, valued at a combined total of US$4.9m. In addition, he is acting for a claimant in relation to the recovery of fragments believed to be a part of a valuable Ancient Roman ewer carved in sardonyx. 

The barristers at Essex Court Chambers stand out for their ‘deep experience‘, often acting for auction houses, collectors, and dealers in transactions and contractual disputes relating to the art world. Leading Claudia Renton, Joe Smouha KC represented the defendant in Sotheby’s v Mark Weiss Ltd, where Sotheby’s sought the rescission of a contract of sale for a painting by Frans Hals, disputing its authenticity as a ground for contention – a contractual dispute now settled. In QIPCO v Ariadne Galleries, Emily Wood KC represented the defendant, a New York based dealer, against claims by the Qatari investment company alleging mosaics sold to it valued at US$350,000 were forgeries.