US Supreme Courts Rules for Germany in Nazi-era Case

February 4 2021

Posted by Adam Busiakeiwicz:

Artdaily.com have reported on a recent ruling made by the US Supreme Court in favour of Germany in a case relating to Nazi-era art sales.

The case revolves around items from the Guelf Treasure, a trove of medieval artefacts which were bought and sold by a consortium of Germany-based Jewish art dealers in the 1930s. The heirs of the dealers suggest that the sale of the artworks in 1935 was made among threats of violence and were eventually sold for far less than their market value. The US Supreme Court decision, which is rather too complicated to summarise here, focused on whether a US court could pursue a case against a foreign state in light of the particular circumstances of this case. The notes are worth reading in full.

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