SOFAA

An idea that began life in 2015 with a Tory government manifesto pledge for a total ban on the UK trade in ivory has finally taken shape, though not as draconian as originally pitched and not yet set in legislative stone.

The government has unveiled a dedicated advice line to help small and micro businesses such as auction houses and dealerships to prepare for new data protection laws coming into force in May 2018.

A new CITES report stating that elephant poaching in Africa declined in 2016 for the fifth year in a row has been welcomed by antiques industry trade body representatives.

The Conservative's 2017 manifesto launched this morning was dominated by Brexit, social care, education and cyber security but was without the party's intentions on controlling the UK ivory trade. This is in contrast to the 2015 version, which pledged an outright ban on trade in ivory.

Art and antiques dealers and auctioneers are already compiling a wish-list for the industry in the wake of last week's UK vote to leave the European Union.

The Society of Fine Arts Auctioneers (SOFAA) and the RICS are holding a seminar in Crewkerne on February 18 aimed at those starting out on their auctioneering career.

In response to the new Consumer Rights Act, the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers have produced two different versions of their model terms and conditions – one for bricks and mortar ‘onsite’ auctions and another for online-only sales.

Commenting on the wider marketplace in her capacity as chairman of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers, Helen Carless, chairman and managing director of Lawrences of Crewkerne, gave ATG this brief summary of the feedback received from various SOFAA members.

The chairman of one of the UK’s most successful provincial auction houses has joined the condemnation of Christie’s new 2% success fee, saying he is appalled by it.

At the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers biennial dinner at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge Paul Viney of Woolley & Wallis officially handed over the chairmanship of the association to Helen Carless, managing director of Lawrences Crewkerne.

Special Auction Services of Newbury have been elected to the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers (SOFAA).

AUCTION Atrium, the Kensington-based auction house established in 2006, have become a member of professional body The Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers.

CLIVE Stewart-Lockhart of Dreweatts handed over the chairmanship of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers to Paul Viney of Woolley & Wallis at the Society’s biennial dinner at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London last week.

TWO former senior executives of dmg World Media have bought the three American SOFA fairs and the Charlotte, North Carolina showground fair from their former company.

AUCTIONEERS at the latest Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers (SOFAA) seminar were visibly shocked as they learnt how easy it is to become an unwitting party to a bribe.

The Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers are to award a £1000 prize in a competition for the best industry-related essay by a junior employee of a SOFAA-registered company.

CLIVE Stewart-Lockhart has been elected as the new chairman of The Society of Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers (SOFAA).

SIGN up now for the joint RICS/SOFAA Auction Law Conference which will take place in London on Monday, January 22.