Law, crime and regulation

A little-publicised California law aimed at protecting buyers of sports memorabilia is threatening to impact the wider art and antiques sector.

A new law that demands that owners of ‘collectables’ provide a certificate of authenticity when selling items could be a threat to antique fairs held in the state.

The British Antiques Dealers’ Association is launching an ivory object certification system for its members, as one response to the government’s push for proof of age whenever pre-1947 worked ivory is sold.

The leader of the police body tackling wildlife crime has agreed to speak at the Antique Trade Gazette’s Seminar on CITES in January 2017, as the UK antiques sector faces the most serious threat ever to the trade of antique ivory.

A BBC documentary investigating the illegal ivory trade, hosted by celebrity chef and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, has called for a complete ban on the buying and selling of ivory regardless of age.

Kensington MP and BADA president Victoria Borwick has responded to demands for a total ban on the ivory trade. She has called on the UK government to ensure antique ivory is exempt from any crackdown.

Stamford dealer Stuart Porter has been sentenced to five years and four months behind bars after pleading guilty to fraud charges.

Art Market Minds, the organisers of the annual Art Business Conference, are partnering with law firm K&L Gates to launch a seminar next month focusing on risk management in the art market.

Michael Danaher, 50, who tortured and murdered Oxford book dealer Adrian Greenwood during a robbery targeting a £50,000 first edition of ‘The Wind In The Willows’, was yesterday given a life sentence, with a minimum term of 34 years.

A BBC One documentary by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall called 'Saving Africa’s Elephants: Hugh and the Ivory War' will be aired tonight at 9pm.

The government is hoping to find a UK-based buyer to pay £67,500 for a 300-year-old tapestry to prevent it from leaving the country.

Natural history expert Errol Fuller has called for the antiques trade to lobby quickly over any rule changes to the UK trade in ivory.

A Manhattan district attorney has warned the art and antiques trade of its obligations regarding local sales taxes after a collector and his shippers were indicted for fraud.

The buyer of a major Old Master painting at the centre of a potential ‘fakes’ scandal has strongly defended its authenticity as a row threatens to erupt over its attribution.

A London-based musician’s equipment, including an antique violin, has been stolen and she is calling on the trade to help her find it.

An Old Master painting recently saved for the nation by the Bowes Museum is set to be showcased at a new exhibition held in the painting’s new home.

Henry Neville, former director at Mallett and head of their New York branch, has pleaded guilty to all criminal charges relating to an embezzlement case brought by US authorities.

Lawyers representing the Frenchman Giulano Ruffini have defended his role in handling paintings at the centre of a ‘fakes scandal’ besetting the Old Masters market.

A family row over a large collection of 17th century Chinese porcelain escalated this week after Art Fund trustee Caroline Butler hired Christie’s to value the collection.

The murder of book dealer Adrian Greenwood was part of an attempt to steal a £50,000 first edition of the Wind in the Willows, a court has heard.