Art and cultural property

Mishcon de Reya LLP

At Mishcon de Reya LLP, ‘the breadth of experience and knowledge that the team has across all areas of art and cultural property is exceptional. They more than live up to their reputation.’ Karen Sanig and Amanda Gray are at the helm of the ’truly excellent’ practice, which serves a diverse range of international clients and artists. It routinely advises galleries on buying, selling, exhibiting, loaning, and moving art. The agile team is also skilled at advising collectors on finance, loans, and import and export issues. It advises on issues surrounding bequeathing art to the nation, a trust, or charity. Another core area of expertise is advising auction houses on sales and due diligence. It continues to assist with many of the largest international art transactions, the management of some of the most significant collections of cultural property, and major litigation. Simon Chadwick was promoted to the partnership in April 2024, and Abby Brindley is another important member of the practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Karen Sanig came highly recommended from everybody with whom we spoke to in the art world, both in the UK and abroad. Her well-deserved reputation for excellence preceded her and we have been more than impressed with her skill, knowledge and experience in the area.'
‘We greatly value Karen Sanig’s speed of response, accuracy, clever and commercial approach and turning technical and difficult issues into user-friendly, straightforward, good, tough advice.'
‘I think that the team at Mishcon really care about the emotional and mental welfare of their clients. They understand that what is their daily grind is really a matter of enormous stress and anxiety for their clients. They know how to manage their clients through the legal process.'
‘Karen Sanig was a class act who ran a brilliant team. She was funny, supportive, possessing formidable intellectual fire power and a brilliant strategic brain. Abby Brindley was a chip off the old block in this regard and hand held us really well as we went through the legal process.'
‘The best team for art law matters, with a great spirit and openness to take on challenges.’
‘Amanda Gray is brilliant and very clued into the sector. Karen Sanig is an eminent figure. Sinéad Esler Patel is great on fraud and art law matters. Simon Chadwick is very strong.'
‘Karen Sanig and her team's knowledge of every aspect of the art market is exceptional. They work around the clock to provide practical, realistic and creative solutions to every transaction or case.’
‘One of the top firms in art and cultural property. Karen Sanig is highly experienced and excellent to work with, as is Amanda Gray.'

Key clients

Ivor Braka Limited and Ivor Braka
The Klesch Collection Limited
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery

Work highlights

Represented Ivor Braka Limited and Ivor Braka in proceedings relating to the provision of information by art market participants to obtain payment of artist resale royalties.
Advising a client, who is the owner of an abstract modern painting valued at $5.5m, on a complex multi-jurisdictional title dispute involving English, South Korean, and German law.
Advising on Tate's external contractual arrangements with third parties.

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