Amanda Gray is a Partner in Mishcon Private, specialising in Art Law and the related field of Luxury Assets. Amanda has worked in the field of Art Law for 17 years building up a team of nine Art Law specialists in the Mishcon team.
She is internationally recognised as a leader in the field and was instrumental in establishing the Art Lawyers' Association in 2023 which she co-chairs. In March 2024, she was appointed the new Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Photographers Gallery, having previously served as a trustee of the Institute of Contemporary Arts.
Active in the art and photography world, her practice is hybrid, and she is praised for her understanding of nuances of operating in this sector. Amanda is often the first port of call in complex, international and often very public art gallery and auction disputes that require sensitive navigation. She also works with and supports a number of highly regarded artists, dealers and collectors who turn to her for advice on a range of non-contentious and contentious issues including legacy, intellectual property and reputation protection, and commercial diversification.
Committed to developing the next generation of art lawyers and those working in the sector Amanda continues to mentor a number of emerging careers' candidates. Frequently called upon to provide expert comment on issues touching the art world she has recently discussed issues as diverse as art fraud and developments in art insurance in the media (most recently featuring in the Financial Times and on the BBC's Front Row).
Key Experience
Art Law
- Advising an art dealer on contentious and reputational matters arising from the attribution of a number of Old Masters.
- Advising an art collector and investor in a global art fraud concerning contemporary art works.
- Advising a collector in a title dispute involving a number of auction houses over a 20th Century art collection and design pieces.
- Advising an art investor on an injunction and a claim arising from the sale of a contemporary artwork and issues concerning non-resale clauses and market manipulation.
- Advising an artist concerning their position and recovery of artworks following the insolvency of an international gallery.
- Advising a gallery on international criminal and civil claims and delivery up of contemporary artworks following an international theft.
- Advising an art investor on an international title claim regarding a consigned 20th century masterpiece.
- Advising a church council on the discovery of a 16th century lost masterwork by Quentin Matsys.
- Advising an art dealer on a Holocaust looted art claim by an individual on an Old Master.
- Advising an heir seeking restitution of a Holocaust looted artwork from a public institution in the UK.
- Advising a collector on the importation, attribution and potential resale of an antique coin collection within the UK.
- Facilitating an art foundation on the recovery of stolen artworks.
- Advising consignors on a multi-jurisdictional dispute and stakeholder claim involving an auction house over the ownership of an art collection.
Luxury Assets
- Advising a claimant company on a high value unlawful means conspiracy, including claims for breach of fiduciary duties and breach of contract claim, concerning a museum quality classic car collection.
- Defending a collector on claims regarding the race history and authenticity of a known classic car.
- Advising a classic car collector on a dispute with an auction house regarding representations on condition and authenticity.
- Advising a client on a dispute arising from the renovation of a classic car.
- Advising a purchaser on title and attribution issues following the acquisition of a classic car at auction, [2015] EWHC 3257 (Comm).
- Assisting an international client with the importation of horses into the United Kingdom.
- Assisting clients with part-ownership arrangements of a high value international dressage horse.
- Advising a client on a dispute with a number of auction houses on the authenticity and condition of jewellery purchase.
Court of Protection
- Acting for members of a high profile family in a complex Court of Protection matter responding to an injunction involving deprivation of liberty
Inquests
- Acting for a number of bereaved families regarding the death of a child, the suicide of a family member, an accidental death and death following surgery
Recent articles:
- Happening Media, "Investing Wisely in 2018 – Five Tips from the Legal Experts", February 2018
- Future Cities Forum blog, February 2018
- Citywealth, "We are advising on Fakes and Forgeries" , July 2015
- RICS Property Journal, "Taking on the New Frontier", Sept/Oct 2014
- RICS Property Journal, "Protecting your image", November 2014
Recent speaking engagements/conferences:
- Speaker at Christie's Art Business course, "Authenticating Art in the Digital Age", May 2018
- Christie's Education students, London, "Introduction to Art Law", March 2018
- Royal Academy workshop, "Managing the Artist’s Legacy: Planning for the Future", London, March 2018
- Speaker at "Art, Investment and Cities" Forum, London, January 2018
- ESCP Executive Specialised Master's Programme, "International Wealth Management – Art: Legal & Tax", London, December 2017
- Royal Academy Professional Practice, "Entering the Art Market: Avoiding the Pitfalls-Business, Contract and Intellectual Property", London, December 2017
- York University Art and Law students, London, "Introduction to Art Law", October 2017