The Illicit Trade in Art and Antiquities: International Recovery and Criminal and Civil Liability

This second edition of The Illicit Trade in Art and Antiquities provides fully updated guidance on the modern law relating to cultural objects which have been stolen, looted or illegally exported.

The book explains how English criminal law principles apply to those who deal in cultural objects. It discusses the recovery of works of art and antiquities in the English courts where there are competing claims between private individuals or between individuals and the UK Government or a foreign state. As with the first edition, it provides an exposition of the law where a British law enforcement agency, or a foreign law enforcement agency, is involved in the course of criminal or civil proceedings in an English court.

This essential work provides authoritative guidance on combating this illicit trade. It considers developments in international law, such as the Council of Europe Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property 2017. It discusses the impact of EU Directives, such as the application of anti-money laundering regulations to the art market. It explains changes to import and export laws and covers relevant laws in England and Wales, such as new criminal offences created by the Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Act 2017.

Janet Ulph is Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Leicester, UK.