Members of 3 Verulam Buildings continue to be involved in a number of high-profile cases and are considered ‘sector specialists’ within the art and cultural property sector. Andrew Onslow KC recently acted as sole counsel for Lord and Lady Wemyss in Wemyss v Simon C Dickinson Ltd, a case concerning alleged professional negligence against an art dealer concerning the sale of a Le Bénédicité painting by Jean Simeon Chardin. Angharad Start has also been very active in this practice area, and is currently representing Dmitry Rybolovlev in his long-running case against Sotheby's concerning an alleged secret profit by Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier.
Art and cultural property in
London Bar
3 Verulam Buildings
Testimonials
‘3VB is an excellent set with excellent counsel.’
‘It is a set with a strong stable of art lawyers from Andrew Onslow at the top end to Sophia Dzwig at the junior end. Few Chambers have as many sector specialists.’
‘The counsel at 3VB are, on the whole, fantastic in the area of art and cultural property. They are a go-to set in this field.’
‘A very helpful clerking team.’
Work highlights
5 Stone Buildings
‘A very strong set in the art sector’ 5 Stone Buildings houses excellent barristers in this field and are considered to be one of ‘the leading chambers for art law’. Art and chattel dispute specialist Henry Legge KC, recently acted for the art dealer in the Countess of Wemyss v Simon C Dickinson Limited case, regarding the sale of Le Bénédicité painting by Chardin, which the claimant alleged was negligently handled. In QIPCO and Al Thani v Eskenazi, Luke Harris is representing Qatari government claimants who argue that $5m of Asian and Middle Eastern antiquities they purchased from the defendants were forgeries. Fellow junior Jordan Holland continues to develop his art specialism and is part of the complex Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd v Fan Wa Ebdaa LLC & Ors case regarding the sale of a Qur’an exceeding £7m.
Testimonials
‘Always a high level of service.’
‘They are a very strong set in the Art sector with some very good silks and junior who practice in this area.’
‘Very efficient and helpful – run excellent seminars and always top of their game.’
‘5SB is the leading chambers for art law. It has a number of barristers knowledgeable in art law.’
‘Extremely good Chancery set – always number one for Trust issues and art law issues. Never look anywhere else. Clerks work with you to find alternatives if your first choice in not available and they are always right in terms of skill sets.’
‘Very good clerks. Very responsive.’
‘Efficient and helpful.’
‘Clerks are user friendly.’
Work highlights
Essex Court Chambers
The barristers of Essex Court Chambers have been involved in prominent and high-profile cases in the field of art and cultural property, including cases of fraud, negligence and contractual disputes. Joe Smouha KC, whose broad commercial practice includes heavyweight disputes in the art world, has been involved in a number of high-profile cases recently, including the Bouvier v Rybolovlev case.
Work highlights
3 Verulam Buildings
Testimonials
‘3VB is an excellent set with excellent counsel.’
‘It is a set with a strong stable of art lawyers from Andrew Onslow at the top end to Sophia Dzwig at the junior end. Few Chambers have as many sector specialists.’
‘The counsel at 3VB are, on the whole, fantastic in the area of art and cultural property. They are a go-to set in this field.’
‘A very helpful clerking team.’
Work highlights
5 Stone Buildings
‘A very strong set in the art sector’ 5 Stone Buildings houses excellent barristers in this field and are considered to be one of ‘the leading chambers for art law’. Art and chattel dispute specialist Henry Legge KC, recently acted for the art dealer in the Countess of Wemyss v Simon C Dickinson Limited case, regarding the sale of Le Bénédicité painting by Chardin, which the claimant alleged was negligently handled. In QIPCO and Al Thani v Eskenazi, Luke Harris is representing Qatari government claimants who argue that $5m of Asian and Middle Eastern antiquities they purchased from the defendants were forgeries. Fellow junior Jordan Holland continues to develop his art specialism and is part of the complex Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd v Fan Wa Ebdaa LLC & Ors case regarding the sale of a Qur’an exceeding £7m.
Testimonials
‘Always a high level of service.’
‘They are a very strong set in the Art sector with some very good silks and junior who practice in this area.’
‘Very efficient and helpful – run excellent seminars and always top of their game.’
‘5SB is the leading chambers for art law. It has a number of barristers knowledgeable in art law.’
‘Extremely good Chancery set – always number one for Trust issues and art law issues. Never look anywhere else. Clerks work with you to find alternatives if your first choice in not available and they are always right in terms of skill sets.’
‘Very good clerks. Very responsive.’
‘Efficient and helpful.’
‘Clerks are user friendly.’
Work highlights
Essex Court Chambers
The barristers of Essex Court Chambers have been involved in prominent and high-profile cases in the field of art and cultural property, including cases of fraud, negligence and contractual disputes. Joe Smouha KC, whose broad commercial practice includes heavyweight disputes in the art world, has been involved in a number of high-profile cases recently, including the Bouvier v Rybolovlev case.