Luxury Assets

We advise collectors, families, and investors on every aspect of art ownership. From acquisitions and sales to provenance, financing, succession, and dispute resolution, our team provides discreet, practical guidance to protect and preserve art collections across generations and international borders.   

• Advised the client on relation to the sale of a Chopin Manuscript and drafted and negotiated the terms of a Sale Contract with The Fryderyk Chopin Institute.  
• Instructed by a family trust in relation to a provenance dispute with a leading international auction house.   
• Represented the consignor of a collection of inherited art works in negotiations with various auction houses.   
• Acted for the National Gallery when it acquired “Men of the Docks” by George Bellows.   
• Routinely work on artwork acquisitions at the V&A including Queen Victoria’s coronet and the recent purchase of the Deposition from the Cross – a 13th Century Walrus Ivory sculpture.    
• Advised a client on auction-house terms and conditions.   
• Drafted terms and conditions for an antiques dealer.   
• Advised a photographer in relation to a copyright dispute.   
• Advised clients on the tracing of fine art and recovering the items for them.   

We assist collectors and enthusiasts with the acquisition, ownership, and transfer of classic and high-value cars. Our advice covers transactions, financing, structuring, succession, and disputes, ensuring collections are protected, compliant, and preserved for future generations.   

• Successfully resisted threatened claims against a leading motorsports publication by the owner of a racing series.    
• Advised an automotive restoration business on copyright and passing off concerns.   
• Advised on disputes of the title to goods, legal ownership, and conversion for luxury cars.   
• Advised on disputes of statutory implied terms as to description, satisfactory quality and fitness for purpose for the motor industry.   
• Advised on disputes involving bailment and hire on luxury cars.   
• Advised on breaches of express provisions in the contracts under which the goods are supplied for luxury cars.  
• Acted for the owner of a classic car in a dispute with insurers concerning the total loss of the vehicle in a fire.   
• Instructed on behalf of a leading international car collector in relation to a replica of his unique and valuable vehicle being sold with highly misleading provenance at auction.   
• Resolved a dispute with restorers on behalf of a well-known personality.  
• Acted for a collector in relation to the acquisition and restoration of a vintage Bentley.  
• Advised on a £2 million   loan through London-based Fiduciam on financing the new TVR cars.   
• Instructed by the family of a deceased Saudi billionaire businessman in connection with a claim for cash deposits paid for Bentley, Maybach and Brabus cars, a $500,000 loan agreement and deposit or equivalent asset for £1.25b land purchase agreement.   

We act for clients on all aspects of super yacht ownership, from acquisition and financing to registration, crewing, tax, and succession. Our discreet guidance helps clients navigate complex international regulations while protecting their investment and ensuring smooth enjoyment of their vessels.   

• Advised on a construction dispute of US entrepreneur and owner of NFL team on his yacht.   
•  Advised on the purchase of a euro 2.2 million tender and arranging her import into the EU through France.    
• Advised on a construction dispute of an Australian Entrepreneur and media mogul on his yacht.   
• Advised an American client on the purchase of a 41m yacht and arranging her import and payment of VAT in Malta.   
• Advised on a construction dispute of a yacht heralded as one of the world’s fastest Super Yacht.   
• Acted for the Italian borrower in finance under the Maltese Leasing Scheme of a 33m sailing yacht.   
• Acted for an Irish buyer of a new-build 28m Riva yacht.   
• Represented the purchaser in the purchase of a 22m wooden sailing sloop.   
• Acted for the buyer in the new build of a 35m Italian superyacht.   
• Advised a Bahamas based buyer of the construction contract for a 40m new build yacht for £11.5m.  
• Acted on a simultaneous sale and purchase of two 30m yachts in Venice Italy for an English buyer.   
• Advised on the sale of a 67m Cayman Islands registered yacht operating under the Maltese VAT deferment scheme. 
• Advised a Middle Eastern buyer on the build of a very high profile 55m sports fishing yacht “Special One” a first of its kind. Having dealt with the initial build contract, we then dealt with completion matters enabling the yacht to be show cased at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show where it received a huge amount of interest. 

We assist on all aspects of private jet ownership and aviation, from acquisition and financing to registration, operation, and sale. Our teams’ cross-border expertise helps clients navigate complex international regulations while protecting their investment and ensuring the efficient, compliant use of their aircraft. 

• Acted for a Middle East investor on the sale of a number of private jets to high-net-worth individuals.    
• Represented a Middle East investor on the purchase of a H145 T2 Helicopter   
• Advised a UK client on the sale on an Agusta helicopter. Ilona Avramenko) 
• Acted for a UAE client on the purchase of a new Global 6500. 
• Advised on the sale of Hawker Beechcraft 750 aircraft to a Canadian buyer including export from the EU.   
• Advised on the sale of an Isle of Man registered Bombardier Challenger 605 to a US buyer.   
• Represented a US client on the purchase and leaseback of six Hercules-type aircraft   from a South African seller.   
• Advised on the purchase of a Hawker Beechcraft 750 and its importation into the EU under an AOC.   
• Advised on purchases, sales, financing, operation and management of Dassault, Embraer, Bombardier and Hawker private jets.   
• Project-manages the acquisition or sale of private and corporate pre-owned aircraft often involving 6–8 jurisdictions, aircraft registries, operators, brokers and financiers as tax-efficiently as possible. 
• Acts for UHNW clients and corporates in the acquisition of new aircraft, from green aircraft delivery through to interior completion contracts and build.  

 We act for clients on all aspects of the bloodstock and equestrian industry, from breeding and sales to ownership, employment, and regulation. Our teams’ extensive experience helps clients protect their interests, resolve disputes, and navigate the complex commercial, contractual, and reputational issues of the international racing and breeding industry. 

• Principal legal advisors to the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, providing a legal advice helpline to their 2,500 members.   
• Legal advisors to the European Breeders’ Fund, advising on strategic constitutional issues and internal restructure.   
• Acting for a leading UK stud in relation to a dispute with Tattersalls over the sale of a horse in training.   
• Advised a well-known Newmarket stud farm on various thorny employment law issues.   
• Advised Jockey Club Racecourses on a diverse range of legal issues.   
• Dealing with professional negligence claims against veterinary surgeons and negotiating settlements with the Veterinary Defence Society.   
• Advising on contracts for the sale and training of international show jumper.   
• Advising on a contract for sale and part ownership of a valuable broodmare prospect to the US.   
• Dealing with insurance claims relating to first-season infertility of stallions.   
• Successfully defending at trial a tribunal claim against a Newmarket stud.   
• Speaker at British Horseracing Authority trainers’ course on leadership skills.   
• Advising the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and British Horseracing Authority on their guide, ‘Health and Safety in the Racing and Breeding Industry‘.   
• Acted for a leading and acquisitive force in the global horse racing, breeding and bloodstock world.   
• Acted for a leading racehorse trainer regarding their intended proposed changes to the horse racing industry standard staff employment contract to reflect their own modern working practices.   
• Acted for a horse racing related charitable housing organisation based, which was planning a restructure of one of its divisions and had received initial advice on the employment implications of its intended proposal.   
• Acted for a high-profile major stud owner in relation to employment law advice.   
• Advised on a dispute over the sale of a leisure horse for a significant sum in circumstances where buyer and seller had their names and reputations to protect but the horse was unsatisfactory for veterinary reasons and owing to its unpredictable behaviour.   
• Conducted a strategic review of employment arrangements and contracts for all staff of a charity distributing funds to charitable causes within the racing and thoroughbred industry.   
• Provided employment law and HR advice and support to one of the leading bloodstock and stud operators. In particular, in relation to the intended exit of a senior and long serving member of staff in sensitive and difficult circumstances.   
• Provided specialist equine law and employment advice in structuring the creation of a club and syndicates for a Middle East based equine lifestyle opportunity. The constitution of the intended racing syndicate/part ownership was very quickly produced in accordance with British Horseracing Authority rules.   
• Conducted a review of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s standard terms for a member mare boarding agreement and the industry-standard terms for the sale of stallion nominations, on both 1st October and Live foal terms, and an outline foal share agreement.   
• Drafting and advising on a sale and part ownership agreement for the sale for a seven-figure sum of a 50% share of an Olympic dressage horse who was changing nationality.   
• Advised the organisers of a global interest charity event on the legal aspects of a sale of nominations on a pro bono basis, which took place within three weeks of the conception of the idea.   
• Advised TBA members on maintenance of employment documents, and on a range of specialist horseracing and equine topics This included advice on employment law, part ownership agreements and bespoke breeding stock arrangements as well as litigation, including professional negligence and nonpayment of invoices.   
• Provided advice to client relating to a mare boarding stud on the recovery of money owed by an ex pat businessperson. This involved advice on the interface with debts owed to others in respect of the mares and the best strategic approach to recovering the monies from the sale of the mares and their offspring.   
• Acted for a major stallion stud in the recovery of high value nomination fees from an individual whose assets were the subject of a freezing order from the FCA.   
• Advised a leading sales consigor and boarding stud on limiting the value of claims under a care custody and control liability document.   
• Helped a major stallion stud to explain and set down in terms a novel set of draft new terms for sale for stallion nominations with original and different payment terms.   
• Helped a leading Newmarket based racehorse trainer with several different staffing issues.   
• Advised a high-level executive in the horse racing industry on the end of his employment. Involved sensitive negotiations done in a direct but non-confrontational way to secure the best possible outcome in the shortest time.   
• Negligence claims in relation to veterinary advice.   
• Advising on breeding right disputes.   
• Advising on Documenting sale and purchase and lease agreements for sports horses.   
• Negotiating and documenting agreements between riders and owners.   
• Negotiating and documenting co-ownership agreements for horses.   
• Advising on human and equine doping.   

We advise on all aspects of fine wine ownership and investment, including collection, valuation, and business structures. Our team guides clients through complex issues such as divorce, succession, and ownership disputes. 

• Advised on a divorce where the couple had built up a family wine import business   and wanted to divorce but to remain working in the business together.   
• Advising a husband on the forced valuation of a family fine wine collection, following the separation from his wife. 

We assist clients with the acquisition, provenance verification, taxation, financing, and succession planning of luxury assets including high-value jewellery and precious metals. Our expertise supports collectors, investors, and institutions in managing and safeguarding their wealth with confidence.   

• Acted for a prestigious jewellery retailer in recovering items not paid for by a UHNW individual.   
• Worked closely with leading Jordanian and UK accountants to protect UHNW clients’ assets through pre and post nuptial agreements with particular attention to the protection of car, jewellery and art collections.   
• Advised Jessica McCormack Limited in relation to their premises at Carlos Place Mayfair, Sloane Street, and Salusbury Road.   
• Advised in litigation where debtors have settled amounts outstanding using emeralds and diamonds.   
• Acted for South Africa-based sellers of copper concentrate in Commercial Court proceedings following a contractual dispute relating to specification for purity.   
• Advised a syndicate of lenders in relation to a USD240 million sustainability-linked facility with a global commodities trader to support their metals trade across Africa.   
• Advised a South African bank in relation to a ZAR1.3 billion metal inventory and receivables finance facility agreement with a South African corporate to fund its purchase processing and production of aluminium.   
• Advised a South African bank in relation to a ZAR1.3 billion metal inventory and receivables finance facility agreement with a South African corporate to fund its purchase processing and production of aluminium.   
• Advised Jessica McCormack, luxury diamond jeweller, with commercial, IP and data advice that included celebrity endorsement deals.   
• Advised a luxury eyewear retailer with commercial and IP advice.   

We advise clients on the legal and regulatory aspects of digital collectibles, including NFTs and tokenised assets on the blockchain. We provide expert guidance on intellectual property, smart contracts, compliance, and digital asset transactions, helping clients navigate this evolving space with confidence and legal clarity.

• Advised Sorare in relation to the production of NFT football tokens and their use as collectibles, including regulatory issues arising.   
• Acted for an international collector in connection to the acquisition of an extensive collection of arms and armour.   
• Acted for the management team of Breitling when Partners Group took a majority position alongside CVC. Valued the business at a report $4.5bn.   
• Advising a sports-focused blockchain company that enables sports and entertainment companies to engage with their target audience by tokenising their rights and issuing non-fungible tokens.   
• Provided legal counsel to a blockchain start-up that is combining sport and non-fungible tokens to create an asset-backed platform for the creation and sale of NFTs based on sporting events.   
• Advised a new crypto business on the sale of its token and whether they are exposing themselves to a litigation risk, through whether the company needs to be FCA regulated and what this means, whether the business model and tokens fall within the regulatory regime, whether the tokens offered constitute unregulated tokens or e-money tokens, and whether the offering and issuing of coins/tokens falls within the recent White Paper review.   
• Advised a blockchain-based football trading platform as to whether crypto tokens issued by the platform constituted financial securities.   
• Advised a founder at seed phase on the development of a tokenised services platform and on the use of blockchain and fungible tokens within the platform, in addition to considering gambling laws in relation to gamified aspects of the venture. 

We advise clients on real estate as a luxury asset, offering expert guidance on acquisition, financing, structuring, and tax-efficient ownership. We work with high-net-worth individuals, investors, and family offices to secure, manage, and protect prestigious properties, ensuring seamless transactions and long-term value preservation across global markets. 

• Advised on the loan to refurbish Michael Flatley’s Castlehyde estate.   
• Advised in a complex ultra-high-net-worth divorce involving a company worth some £100,000,000 and high value properties in England and Spain.   
• Advised a high-net-worth individuals and family offices concerning investment, financing and all other aspects of their real estate portfolios.   
• Advised Hilton Worldwide on multiple branded residence projects including The Hilton Tanger City Centre Hotel & Residences; The Conrad Algarve Residences; The Waldorf Astoria Residences Jerusalem.   
• Advised clients on the acquisition and disposal of a variety of branded hotels   with InterContinental Hotels Group, Choice, Accor and Hilton Worldwide as well as advising on the F&B outlets within such hotels.   
• Negotiated hotel management agreements throughout the UAE for the hotel owners of the Hard Rock Hotel in Abu Dhabi; the Radisson Blue Dubai Marina, multiple Marriot branded hotels within Dubai.  
• Acted for an investment bank in its joint venture with a US theme park operator, for the development and management of a multi-billion mixed-use development in Dubai.   
• Acted in the purchase of London’s most expensive apartment for an international buyer for a total “spend” including fit-out of in excess of £180m.   
• Advised a Middle Eastern family on the acquisition and refurbishment of a Prime London residential house worth in excess of £50m.   
• Advised British Land plc on its sales of Clarges, Mayfair – one of Mayfair’s most exclusive and high-value residential development projects in recent years.   
• Advised multiple buyers of luxury apartments at the Southbank Development, by the London Eye with views over the river to Whitehall and Parliament, developed by Qatari Diar and The Canary Wharf Group. 
• Acted on the purchase of a super-prime residence for an ultra-high-net-worth Middle Eastern royal family member. The matter involved complex financing and all meetings concerning the documentation were settled in person with His Royal Highness at his request. The matter was handled with a high degree of discretion.   
• Represented a Middle Eastern Government and King on a wide range of complex London property matters.   
• Led the team of property and corporate lawyers looking after the acquisition of a multimillion-pound property in Kensington for a Far Eastern billionaire family where the deal was structured by way of the acquisition of the share capital in the British Virgin Islands’ company which held title to the property.   
• Acted for several international clients on their purchases and sales of apartments at One Hyde Park and 199 Knightsbridge Apartments in London.   
• Acted on the purchase of a Grade I listed 12th-century castle in the Cotswolds.   
• Acted on the purchase of a large riverside property in Oxfordshire with two islands. Felicity Sergeant) 
• Instructed on various matters on the Wentworth Estate and other prestigious estates.   
• Advised on the sale of a £25,000,000 flat purchased which included the sale of cartier pens and specialist whiskeys, which were all included within the sale of the property.   
• Work with Fiduciam to obtain a £7.5 million loan to enable the Treloyhan Manor Hotel in Carbis Bay to resume trading in advance of the G7 Summit in Cornwall and be extensively upgraded.