Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 29 APRIL 2020

Action Time On Art Restitution Claims

Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Contributor
Withers LLP

Withers LLP

Withers is an international law firm focused on the personal, business and philanthropic interests...

View firm profile
Explore more from Withers LLP

Zambia's claim against the UK for the restitution of Rhodesian Man, a skull that could be up to 300,000 years old, serves well to remind us of the much larger ongoing debate about what museums should do in the face of the growing number of claims from more and more ‘source' countries for the restitution of artworks and artefacts which they say belong to them.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector
Eleni Polycarpou
Eleni Polycarpou
Author LinkedIn connections

Zambia's claim against the UK for the restitution of Rhodesian Man, a skull that could be up to 300,000 years old, serves well to remind us of the much larger ongoing debate about what museums should do in the face of the growing number of claims from more and more 'source' countries for the restitution of artworks and artefacts which they say belong to them.

On one side of the debate, museums say that an object on display is viewed by millions in the context of where it sits in the development of world culture. After all, the movement of art across the world has since ancient times brought pleasure, education and cultural exchange and that is something to be facilitated and valued.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

See more popular content from

Article

Budget Tracker (2026)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer faces the formidable challenge of delivering his first Budget amid economic headwinds, geopolitical instability, and a wave of ambitious government promises. With GDP growth forecast at just 1.1%, inflation at 3.4%, and public sector net borrowing exceeding £115 billion, can he balance fiscal responsibility with pledges to avoid raising Income Tax, National Insurance, or VAT while funding increased defence spending and social care reforms?
United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

Sanctions: Fortnightly Summary

The UK government has significantly expanded its sanctions framework targeting Russia, introducing measures against individuals and entities involved in military supply chains, energy sectors, cryptocurrency networks, and alleged human rights violations. These developments reflect an evolving enforcement landscape with new powers, increased scrutiny of sanctions evasion, and landmark legal clarifications affecting businesses operating in sanctioned jurisdictions.
European UnionGovernment, Public Sector
BCL Solicitors LLP
BCL Solicitors LLP
Article

Investing In Infrastructure: When Public Policy Meets Private Capital

Governments across the UK and Europe have announced ambitious infrastructure programmes they cannot fund alone, creating significant opportunities for private capital. As public authorities shift from subsidy-based models to regulatory reform, investors must navigate an increasingly complex web of concurrent regulatory regimes - from merger control and national security screening to data protection and PFI handback obligations - to successfully deploy capital in this evolving landscape.
European UnionGovernment, Public Sector
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) And National Security Screening

Angela Gregson of Weightmans and Sean Ryan of Whitney Moore compare Ireland's new foreign direct investment screening regime with the UK's established National Security and Investment Act, examining when notification is required, key procedural differences, and practical steps to navigate both frameworks. The analysis draws on recent annual reports to reveal how these regimes are operating in practice and what reforms are on the horizon.
United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector
Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP
Article

UK Weekly Sanctions Update - Weeks of August 3 and August 10, 2026

This weekly update examines the UK's latest sanctions developments, including amendments to general licences for oil projects and Lukoil entities, new guidance on banknote trading prohibitions, and expanded sanctions targeting Russian banks and shadow fleet vessels. The briefing also covers regulatory guidance from the Solicitors Regulation Authority on sanctions compliance risks.
United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

A 5% Wealth Tax? Preparing Clients For California's Billionaire Tax Act

California's proposed Billionaire Tax Act would impose a onetime 5% excise tax on individuals and trusts with assets exceeding $1 billion, creating unprecedented challenges for estate planners. The retroactive application and anti-abuse provisions raise critical questions about the treatment of grantor trusts, non-grantor trusts, and beneficiary interests that deviate significantly from established federal wealth transfer tax principles.
United StatesTax
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

Navigating Florida’s New Trust, Probate And Series LLC Statutes

Florida has enacted significant statutory changes affecting trust administration, probate procedures, and business entity formation. These reforms introduce streamlined nonjudicial processes for trustee discharge, expand access to simplified probate administration, and establish a new framework for protected series LLCs that offers enhanced asset protection and operational flexibility for estate planners and business owners.
United StatesWealth Management
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

Flexible Working In 2027: The UK Government Reveals Further Details Of Upcoming Reforms

The UK government has published its response to consultation on flexible working reforms, introducing a new reasonableness test for employers refusing requests from 2027. The reforms will require employers to meet with employees before rejecting applications and explain why refusal is reasonable, while consultation data reveals significant gaps between employer and employee perceptions of the current system.
United KingdomEmployment and HR
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

Navigating Japan's Foreign Investment Rules: Key Requirements And The 2026 Reform Update

Japan's Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act amendments, promulgated in June 2026, introduce significant changes to foreign direct investment screening procedures. These modifications expand regulatory oversight to include indirect acquisitions, mandate reporting of risk mitigation measures, and grant authorities enhanced powers to address national security concerns even after transactions are completed.
JapanGovernment, Public Sector
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

Subscription Contracts: What Businesses Need To Know About The New UK Cancel Culture

The UK government has accelerated the implementation of new subscription contract rules under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, moving the enforcement date to January 2027. These regulations introduce stricter transparency requirements at sign-up, mandatory cooling-off periods including a new renewal cooling-off window, and simplified cancellation processes designed to eliminate 'subscription traps' that lock consumers into unwanted recurring payments.
United KingdomConsumer Protection
Withers LLP
Withers LLP