Withers launches specialist service for art collectors

City private client firm Withers has launched a specialised service to advise clients who have substantial art collections.

The art advisory department will be headed by Pierre Valentin, who joins Withers as a consultant from auctioneers Sotheby's, where he was legal counsel for Europe.

Mr Valentin will work with litigation partner Jeremy Scott to advise clients on buying and selling art, negotiating contracts, and other issues surrounding tax and the export of art works.

'Holocaust survivors' art which was looted by the Nazis is also a growing area of expertise,' said Mr Valentin.

He added that at present there were few firms which specialised in this area, and a number of Withers' clients had expressed an interest in such a service.

'I know of a few individual lawyers in France and Geneva with expertise in this area, but we aim to give a full tailor-made service to clients,' he said.

'We are well placed to offer a worldwide service to clients, as we have offices in London and New York, the two most important art centres in the world.'

Withers will also advise intermediaries in the art world, such as private banks or lawyers representing clients with substantial collections.

Victoria MacCallum