Department profile
Wedlake Bell LLP

Art and Cultural Property Law

High Net Worth Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Wedlake Bell LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Wedlake Bell LLP

Our team of specialist art and luxury lawyers advise a range of clients from artists, private collectors and international galleries through to governments, state institutions, museums, lenders, philanthropists and art fairs. We also have rich experience in other luxury assets such as collector cars, musical instruments, jewellery, wine and watches.

Internationally recognised art lawyers, Tim Maxwell and Rudy Capildeo, lead our Art & Luxury practice. Their team is routinely instructed on record-breaking transactions and high-value disputes, and has assisted on a number of important and ground breaking cases, while also saving collections for the nation and helping clients to achieve world-record auction results.

We continue to be instructed on ongoing cases, including title and artist representation disputes and regulatory issues including sanctions advice. We have been instructed on new disputes involving fraud and art financing and represent several street artists and collectors of street art.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Art and Cultural Property Law - UK-wide

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
The art and cultural property law team at Wedlake Bell is experienced in providing both transactional and regulatory advice to galleries and art businesses. The lawyers are also proficient in complex and high-profile art fraud litigation and financing disputes.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team at Wedlake Bell are at the top of their profession and specialists in their field. One cannot wish for better.

    Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Everyone I worked with at Wedlake Bell was incredibly helpful, professional and easy to communicate with, and it was clear they all worked well together in supporting the lead lawyer on my case. What really stood out was how attentive and considerate they were throughout the process.

    Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Wedlake Bell are industry experts in the art world and technically very strong from a legal standpoint too. It's a powerful combination.

    Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • All the lawyers at Wedlake Bell were extremely knowledgeable and very thorough. Every option was explained to us and we were advised of the best course to take. They were professional and at the same time very warm and human in their approach.

    Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Rudy Capildeo
    Band 1Rudy Capildeo

    Rudy Capildeo

    Rudy Capildeo focuses on non-contentious art matters, advising a range of clients including artists, collectors, notable galleries and other institutions.

    • Rudy Capildeo is the ultimate dealmaker and he knows everyone in the market.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Rudy Capildeo is very experienced and highly tuned into the art market and all its relevant issues. He is a great pleasure to work with.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Rudy Capildeo has been invaluable: fast, efficient and always several steps ahead. His global art market awareness means his advice is never theoretical; it’s grounded, commercial and immediately actionable. He is remarkably well connected and informed, bringing insight and access that simply isn't available elsewhere.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Rudy Capildeo is expert in his field. He has a calm demeanour and a commercial and practical outlook.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1Tim Maxwell
    Band 1Tim Maxwell

    Tim Maxwell

    Tim Maxwell is highly regarded for handling art litigation, including matters related to ownership, provenance and authenticity.
    • Timothy Maxwell is a very experienced top negotiator and has been instrumental at guiding our strategy throughout this complex case. He is a brilliant strategist and has the answers to every problem.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Tim Maxwell is the most experienced art litigator in the market and the go-to person.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Timothy Maxwell brings an efficient and highly disciplined approach to every matter. His market insight allows him to frame issues in a commercially grounded way, and his strong network makes him notably connected in the right circles. He operates with discretion, clarity, and a consistent ability to move matters forward quickly and efficiently.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Tim Maxwell is an excellent, practical and measured lawyer. He has a clear depth of industry knowledge, he's unflappable and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend or work with him again.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 2Hetty Gleave
    Band 2Hetty Gleave

    Hetty Gleave

    Hetty Gleave moved to Wedlake Bell in 2026. She handles contentious matters concerning title, authenticity and looted art, and is also an experienced family lawyer.

    • Hetty Gleave is very good with clients and really knows her stuff. She really understands the art market and is steeped in market practice from her time on the Treasure Valuation Committee.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Hetty Gleave is such a reasonable individual to work with. She is calm, experienced and relaxed, and that makes a big difference when dealing with very stressful situations.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • I rate Hetty Gleave very highly. She is a really experienced art lawyer and has lots of experience in all different fields. I've worked with her and I think she is very good.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Hetty Gleave has a lot of experience in the area of art law. I was very impressed by her, she is great.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 2Petra Warrington
    Band 2Petra Warrington

    Petra Warrington

    Petra Warrington handles art matters related to authenticity, ownership and restitution.

    • Petra Warrington has been doing art law for a long time. She is exceptionally good and has a huge amount of experience in the field.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Petra Warrington is absolutely great. She is a really good lawyer.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Rebecca Christie
    Band 3Rebecca Christie

    Rebecca Christie

    Rebecca Christie has a considerable art and cultural property practice. She is a board member of the London chapter of PAIAM and a respected member of the art law community. Christie joined Wedlake Bell as a partner in early 2026.

    • Rebecca Christie is superb. The way she deals with difficult situations is that she shows emotional intelligence that is off the charts. She's a very empathetic lawyer.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Rebecca Christie is incredibly user-friendly, clever and efficient.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Rebecca Christie is extremely good and very, very involved in the market. I have rarely seen someone so involved and so passionate about it. She is clearly dedicated to this area of law, very competent and efficient and very impressive.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Associates to watchElizabeth Scandrett
    Associates to watchElizabeth Scandrett

    Elizabeth Scandrett

    Elizabeth Scandrett is a senior associate in Wedlake Bell's art and luxury team. Her commercial litigation practice regularly involves matters relating to art, luxury assets and the creative industries.

    • Elizabeth Scandrett is extremely perceptive and sensitive, gives very sensible advice and is a brilliant strategist and forward thinker. She has been a rock throughout the case.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Elizabeth is very, very good and works extremely hard. She is good on the detail and legal points and analysis.

      Art and Cultural Property Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Ranked Individuals at Wedlake Bell LLP (6)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Wedlake Bell LLP

Wedlake Bell LLP has rankings in the following guides

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