Withers Worldwide

Clients come to us to resolve ownership and restitution claims, intellectual property disputes, authenticity disputes, compensation claims when art has been lost, destroyed or damaged, and cases of art fraud and theft. We act for and against auction houses and art dealers. Where people are the victims of theft, we can help trace stolen art and claim it back; and in the event that someone else claims to own our clients artwork, we fight this injustice. 

Our team is frequently involved in complex international fraud cases, as well as art repatriation claims. We have made settlements with HM Revenue & Customs in the UK (HMRC), and represent clients in appeals against HMRC decisions. We also make representations to the Spoliation Advisory Committee (UK) and members of our team now advise the Panel. In addition, members of our team serve on the National Roster of Neutrals of the American Arbitration Association and have sat as arbitrators in copyright infringement disputes (New York). We also serve as commercial mediators through state court systems (New York) and have mediated and settled disputes involving unfair competition and intellectual property issues with respect to designers.

Such disputes attract media attention. We have a great deal of experience on how to best manage the media. We may take action to prevent the publication or broadcast of damaging stories. If it is too late to do that we seek damages, corrections and apologies from the media. We are also used to dealing with the media regulators on our clients' behalf.

Our client list comprises a wide range of art collectors, art dealers and family offices all over the world.

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