‘Human Remains and the Law’ – 13th December 2013 – London

A one-day conference with the generous support of the Natural History Museum

The treatment of human remains, whether contained in museum collections or discovered during the course of building or other works, gives rise to a host of moral, ethical and legal issues. Should all remains be treated in the same way? If not where are the boundaries  and are all the boundaries for how museums use remains (exhibition, teaching and scientific  research) the same? Do we treat cultures that have disappeared (e.g. the Sumerians or ancient Egyptians) differently from living cultures and why do museums take the approach they do?

The conference is Law Society CPD accredited.

Places may be reserved here.

‘Culture and Conflict’ – 27th January 2014 – London

A one-day conference with the generous support of Global Law Firm Clyde & Co LLP

This conference will examine issues relating to the protection of culture in time of conflict. Topics under discussion will include the requirements contained in the Hague Convention 1954 for steps to be taken during peacetime, the removal of works of art to a place of safety pending the outbreak of hostilities, the appropriate drafting of terms in contracts of insurance to provide adequate cover, the work of national panels to determine ownership of looted and otherwise displaced artworks.

Speakers include Tony Baumgartner (partner, Clyde & Co, Recorder of the Crown Court), Kevin Chamberlain CMG (barrister, Dere Street, York and author of War and Cultural Heritage: A Commentary on the Hague Convention 1954),  Melanie Aspey (Rothschild Archive), Jeremy Scott (partner, Lipman Karas LLP), Julia Cornett (solicitor), Evelien Campfens (Dutch Restitutions Committee), Norman Palmer QC, CBE (barrister, 3 Stone Buildings, expert adviser to the UK Spoliation Advisory Panel, author of Museums and the Holocaust).

The conference is Law Society CPD accredited.