New UK law gives museums new power to repatriate pieces in their collections

·

A new law in England and Wales has been introduced to give national museums significantly more power to deaccession works and make progress on restitution cases. 

The Charities Act 2022 is expected to come into force later this year and will allow charities, and museums, to dispose of objects where there is a compelling moral obligation to do so. 

According to the Charities Act, museums will now be able to deaccession low-value assets without requesting permission; higher-value goods will still require consent from the Charity Commission, the attorney general, or a court. 

Museums had previously been limited to the National Heritage Act 1983 and that had restricted the trustees of major UK museums from deaccessioning objects from the collection except under certain circumstances, like if they are a duplicate of beyond repair. 

“Given the growing increase in moral and political pressure on museums and their trustees to “do the right thing”, this legislation provides new avenues for trustees to explore,” said art lawyer Petra Warrington of Charles Russell Speechlys to Artnet News.

Sidamara sarcophagus at Istanbul Archaeology Museums is complete again with the head of Eros, after it was brought back to Turkey from the V&A museum. Photo by Onur Coban/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.

“Helping them to find solutions where originally the law had not provided a legal framework for restitution. It is a very positive development.”

The new regulation may also increase a museum’s ability to repatriate cultural items in addition to returning stolen art and human remains.

Earlier this year, a head of Eros from the 3rd century was sent to Turkey after it had been detached from a sarcophagus in the 19th century and brought to the U.K. by a British official.

This “renewable cultural partnership” transfer, which is technically a long-term loan of V&A property because returning the object would have violated the National Heritage Act, is being done.

The new legislation will override Attorney General v. Trustees of the British Museum, a 2005 decision from the High Court that blocked trustees of the British Museum from returning objects based on a moral obligation in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.

This effectively created a false distinction between statutory charities like museums and other charities. The 2022 act instead emphasizes that the “stand-alone statutory power” can be exercised by “any charity.”

Source: Artnet

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Bouzouki Night 2025: A celebration of youth, culture and Hellenic pride in the Capital

It was a night of kefi in Canberra as 300 guests filled the Hellenic Club of Canberra for the Hellenic Youth Club’s Bouzouki Night 2025.

Cretan and Kalymnian youth in Sydney unite for a night of dance, music and kefi

The spirit of Greece came alive in Sydney as the Cretan Youth Association of Sydney and the Kalymnian Youth Society of NSW hosted Xoro.

Greek language attainment award, from yiayia’s kitchen to the classroom

The Greek Centre in Melbourne filled with pride and applause on Saturday, October 18 as the GCM honoured students of all ages.

Once a year, the future gathers at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial

Once a year, on an October spring morning, the Australian Hellenic War Memorial (AHWM) fills with the laughter of children.

Parliament House to host inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum

The Embassy of Greece in Australia will present the inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum, an exciting event.

You May Also Like

Greek skating champion, Dimitra Korri, seeks support as she represents Team Greece

Dimitra Korri wants to "bring honour to Greece through the sport of competitive figure skating," but she needs all the support she can get.

Erdogan announces reinforcement of Turkish fleet amid tensions with Athens

Turkish President Erdogan announced the reinforcement of the Turkish fleet at the New Generation Storm Howitzers Delivery Ceremony.

Hard Rock files appeal, blocks Hellenikon casino tender process

A preliminary inquiry is said to have suspended the process of the Hellenic Gaming Commission’s (EEEP) international tender for a casino permit at Hellinikon,...