Henry Lydiate

An international art lawyer who has specialized in the law relating to visual art and design for over 35 years. A scholar-practitioner who has been visiting tutor in professional practice studies at leading UK art schools and colleges; former Visiting Professor in Art Law at the University of the Arts London; current educational portfolio includes designing and delivering international legal and art business modules for Sotheby’s Institute of Art and Southwestern Law School Los Angeles.

Commissioned in 1976 by Arts Council of Great Britain and The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation to conduct research into the legal needs of visual artists in the UK, which led to his establishing Artlaw Services, a non-profit national legal advice, and professional practice training service: Chairman and pro bono legal adviser and trainer until 1984.

Instrumental in establishing the Arts Law Centre of Australia, and the UK’s Design and Artists Copyright Society. Consultant to Artquest, the online information and advice service for UK artists.

Henry is the founding partner of The Henry Lydiate Partnership LLP, the international art business consultancy whose current clients include artists, artists’ estates, collectors, agents & dealers, art fairs, auction houses, foundations, and public-facing art institutions.

Publications include: The Visual Artist and the Law, The Visual Artist’s Copyright Handbook, Visual Arts and Crafts Guide to New Laws of Copyright and Moral Rights, The Creative Act Revisited: New Ways of Working – New Challenges, Posthumous Legal and Ethical Issues, Public Art Commissions – Good Practice; contributor to Art for Architecture: A Handbook on Commissioning, The Trials of Art, The Art Business, Journal of International Media & Entertainment Law. Writes a regular Artlaw column published by Art Monthly since its first issue in 1976: collected articles published by Artquest at www.artquest.org.uk/artlaw.

Professional Associations: Non-Executive Trustee/Director of non-profit entities Acme Artists’ Studios, and Art Monthly Foundation; member of Professional Advisers to the International Art Market (PAIAM).

Henry received a Bachelor of Laws, LLB, from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. Former practicing Barrister and Pupil-master, Called to the Bar by Middle Temple Inn of Court, England.