Roland Foord
Consultant
Roland is an experienced commercial disputes expert, guiding clients, particularly those in the fine art sector, through complex legal challenges.
Consultant
Roland is an experienced commercial disputes expert, guiding clients, particularly those in the fine art sector, through complex legal challenges.
Language - English
Jurisdiction - England & Wales
Roland Foord's work covers a wide range of commercial disputes but he specialises in assisting clients within the fine art sector, leveraging his extensive experience to navigate complex disputes and transactions. His clientele includes auction houses, dealers, museums, and private collectors, who rely on his strategic insight and international expertise to manage risk and resolve issues efficiently.
Roland provides comprehensive advice on matters such as the sale and purchase of fine art, standard business terms, and issues related to export and looted art. Roland’s approach is proactive, focusing on risk management and early resolution to keep clients out of court. His wider work in professional negligence, particularly involving accountancy and law firms, is highly regarded, with a track record of involvement in leading cases.
Clients value Roland for his deep understanding of the sectors he serves and his ability to deliver practical solutions that align with their business objectives. His reputation as a seasoned litigator and tactician makes him a sought-after advisor for high-stakes disputes and transactions.
High profile collector
Acting for the original purchaser in a high value multi-jurisdictional dispute arising out of a breach of a contract for sale of a sculpture by a prominent artist. This dispute involved proceedings in three jurisdictions in Europe and America.
Christie's
Acted for Christie's in the successful defence of a claim challenging the enforceability of aspects of their conditions of sale.
Leading auction houses
Providing a range of services including drafting conditions of business; standard terms for consignment agreements; private sale agreements; and agreements for shipping services, to cover the collection, storage, packing and delivery of artworks, and addressing issues such as responsibility for insurance and liability for loss and damage.
Leading dealer
Defending a major dealer on a claim by a purchaser alleging defective title and breach of warranty in respect of an Impressionist masterpiece.
Advising an international dealer in the defence of claims in respect of commissions arising from a transaction involving an Old Master drawing.
International collector
Acting in a high profile art dispute concerning an attempt to enforce a contract for the sale of a high value artwork. The matter included proceedings in the New York courts for evidence in support of the main claim brought elsewhere and proceedings in the New York courts brought by and against a subsequent purchaser.
Representing an important collector in a bidding dispute with a major auction house.
Major pension fund
Acting for a major pension fund in a claim against a global fund manager for negligence and breach of investment mandate arising as a result of the over-exposure of the fund to risky financial instruments.
KPMG LLP
Represented KPMG in the claim against it by Prince Jefri of Brunei in relation to the protection of confidential information and information barriers. The House of Lords decision remains the leading case on the subject today.
Armstrong DLW GmbH
Acting for Armstrong DLW GmbH in its successful claim against Winnington Networks which established that inadequate due diligence on its counterparty by an otherwise innocent purchaser could lead to liability to the victim of a "phishing" fraud.
