Art Litigation

Art disputes

Art disputes can raise complex issues of ownership, authenticity, provenance, partnership and possession, often across multiple jurisdictions.

We act for collectors, dealers, galleries, investors and other market participants, combining robust litigation strategy with discretion and commercial awareness.

Notable cases

Mackrell LLP has experience in significant art, antiquities and cross-border disputes, including:

Alsaady v Hamadani and Ors [2025] EWHC 1801 (Ch): Successfully acted for all the defendants in high-value proceedings involving approximately $30 million, concerning partnership, bailment and related claims involving valuable art and other chattels. Following the determination of the English proceedings, the defendants obtained an anti-suit injunction restraining overlapping proceedings in Iraq.

QIPCO and another v Phoenix Ancient Art S.A. and others: We acted for Phoenix in separate actions initiated in 2020 and 2023, regarding allegations of forgery in specific antiquities purchased a decade prior with related actions in Belgium, the USA and Switzerland.

Sotheby’s v Mark Weiss Ltd and Ors [2020] EWCA Civ 1570: We acted in this significant fine art dispute concerning a painting sold through Sotheby’s for $10.75 million as a work by Frans Hals and subsequently alleged to be counterfeit. The dispute raised issues of contract, agency and partnership and proceeded to the Court of Appeal.

Our art litigation capabilities

• Ownership, title and possession: Advising on disputes concerning ownership, title, bailment, possession and the recovery of valuable works of art, antiquities and other chattels.
• Authenticity, attribution and provenance: Advising on disputes involving authenticity, attribution, provenance, misrepresentation and the sale and purchase of artworks.
• Art market and commercial disputes: Acting in disputes involving collectors, dealers, galleries, auction houses and investors, including partnership, consignment, agency and commission arrangements.
• Injunctions, asset preservation and enforcement: Seeking and responding to proprietary and freezing injunctions, asset disclosure and other remedies to preserve or recover valuable assets.
• Cross-border litigation: Advising on disputes and enforcement involving assets, parties or proceedings across multiple jurisdictions.

Why choose Mackrell LLP?

• Art litigation experience: We have experience of acting in high-value disputes involving fine art, antiquities and other valuable collectibles, including proceedings before the High Court and Court of Appeal.
• Cross-border reach: As a founding member of Mackrell International, a network spanning over 60 countries, we can coordinate legal advice and action across multiple jurisdictions where required.
• Commercial focus and discretion: We recognise the financial, personal and reputational sensitivities of art disputes and provide strategic, discreet and commercially focused advice tailored to our clients’ objectives.