QC appointed to international art disputes tribunal

A Scottish Queen's Counsel has been appointed to a panel of specialist arbitrators for disputes in the world of fine art.

John Campbell QC is to join the Court of Arbitration for Art, based in The Hague, Netherlands.

Established in 2018, the court is dedicated to the resolution of all types of disputes in the wider art community, and is the only body of its kind in the world. A joint initiative of the Netherlands Arbitration Institute and Authentication in Art, it offers mediation and arbitration services.

“Art deals can be very different from normal transactions", Mr Campbell commented.

“Unlike the purchase of a house or a car, the acquisition of an expensive painting, sculpture or other artwork might require only a one-page document stating little more than the basic information about the work.

“I am delighted to have been appointed and look forward to seeing some of this work come to Scotland, where our arbitration facilities and support services are second to none.

“Getting it right and gaining the respect of the market in a transparent and fair manner are CAfA’s key objectives.”