Art and Heritage Law: Contested Heritage

Leading classical architect George Saumarez Smith joins Richard Harwood KC of 39 Essex Chambers and Clarissa Levi of Wedlake Bell to discuss new country houses and extensions and alterations to historic homes. George is a partner at ADAM Architecture and his book, The Romance of Classicism: Designing the English Country House for Today , has just been published. Should there be a battle of styles?...

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by art and underwater cultural heritage expert Tim Maxwell for a fascinating exploration of shipwrecks, treasure, piracy and the law. Together, they dive beneath the surface of underwater cultural heritage, discussing the challenges of protecting submerged history and the stories these remarkable discoveries can tell.

Architectural historian Emily Gee joins Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi to discuss housing built for a new generation of working women in London and other British cities. What was the social change that brought about those hostels? How did the accommodation affect women’s lives and bring about social change? What do we see of these buildings now and how should social history be recorded in ou...

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by the Countess of Antrim, and historic garden expert Neil Porteous to discuss Glenarm Castle's prizewinning garden. We explore the restoration of one of Ireland’s finest heritage gardens, reflecting on heritage conservation, horticultural excellence, and the role of gardens in preserving cultural and family legacies. And just as importantly: rescue...

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Magnus von Wistinghausen of World Monuments Fund Britain. Magnus touches on his own story, a macroeconomic perspective on heritage, heritage as a driver of social change, WMF Britain's role in the UK's heritage ecosystem and some current projects.

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Christopher Ridgway, Head Curator of Castle Howard. They discuss the economic pressures on country houses, how these have changed over time and why a house needs to be a business of businesses. Why is the archive so important? What is an environmental bank? They explore what it means today to keep a country house alive.

Historian and heritage expert Simon Thurley joins Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi to discuss why and how we impose listed building controls. Why do we treat the public art of architecture so differently to privately owned artworks? What exactly are we trying to protect, and do we get it right – is it fair?

Richard Harwood KC of 39 Essex Chambers and Clarissa Levi of Wedlake Bell speak to Michael Clarke and Sarah Posey about the Cultural Gifts Scheme – why we have it, how it works, and the effect it has. They discuss their favourite CGS gifts so far and possible changes ahead.

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Lord Inglewood to discuss the balance between private ownership of our heritage property and state intervention. We ask how to make the protection of our heritage financially sustainable, what works well in the current system, and what needs to be strengthened.

Heritage, and architectural and artistic interest in particular, does not need to be old. Richard Harwood and Clarissa Levi talk to Catherine Croft, the Director of the Twentieth Century Society, about some of the masterpieces of the last 40 years. Ranging from Southwark tube station on the Jubilee Line, Number One Poultry, to Dame Elisabeth Frink’s Desert Quartet and Peter Barber’s social housing...

What has art to do with listed buildings? When can a painting or sculpture be a listed building or part of a listed building? How can listed building consent be obtained? Richard and Clarissa talk about Lucian Freud, the Dill case, the Time & Life building, chandeliers and stuffed birds. Check out companion episode 20 Art and Land with David Sawtell discusses related property issues. The Conte...

What is Acceptance in Lieu of tax, and how does the AiL Scheme operate? Richard Harwood and Clarissa Levi are joined by AiL Panel Chair Michael Clarke, and Arts Council England Director of Cultural Property Sarah Posey. We discuss the benefits and hurdles of AiL, how it works best, and we dispel a misconception or two about the Scheme.

Are there really 1248 sites with outstanding universal value? How does the World Heritage Convention work in practice? Richard Harwood and Clarissa Levi talk to Alexandra Warr, Head of International Strategy at Historic England about world heritage sites, international negotiations, development and Stonehenge.

What do we value from our past, and how do we fund it? We discuss the impact of lottery funding on the UK’s heritage landscape, the additionality principle, and if we should celebrate a John Major Day. Insights from the heart of the heritage world with Dame Liz Forgan.

Pippa Shirley joins Richard Harwood and Clarissa Levi to discuss the UK’s export controls for cultural objects. How does the Reviewing Committee for the Export of Works of Art operate? Who was Viscount Waverley, and are the 1952 Waverley Criteria still fit for purpose?  We talk about how export stops work, how to ensure the process is fair, and why outstanding ugliness is aesthetically i...

How heritage consultants help, retro-fitting and the three characteristics of Gothic architecture. Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi chat to Dr Emma Wells, Director of Heritage at Heritage Potential about big issues in heritage advice and competitive cathedral building. Emma’s latest book Heaven on Earth: The Lives and Legacies of the World’s Greatest Cathedrals is now out in paperback.

How does tax policy shape our heritage? 39 Essex Chambers barristers Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi of Wedlake Bell are joined by Sarah Roller of Historic Houses to discuss the economic benefit of country houses, how they operate as businesses and what our tax policy seeks to achieve. Why and how can heritage property be exempted from tax, and what effect does this have? We discuss what qual...

39 Essex Chambers barristers Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi of Wedlake Bell talk to Lucy Brown, Chief Executive of the Hugo Burge Foundation, about setting up an arts foundation. We explore how the founder’s vision became a reality, and the gifts of bringing artists and makers together.

What brought a wealth of French artists and craftsmen to London in the 16th and 17th centuries? Tessa Murdoch, Chair of Trustees of the Huguenot Museum, joins Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi to discuss refugees, The French Hospital, the importance of hand skills in a world of AI, and imaginative ways to support the development of a museum.

To live in historic homes we must keep them modernised. This needn’t mean a loss - updating a home for modern living can reveal and celebrate its heritage. Also… we need bathrooms! Clarissa Levi and Richard Harwood talk to Henry Berkeley of Spetchley Park Estate. https://www.spetchleyparkestate.co.uk/

What does a Chief Curator do, and what goes on behind the scenes at an art gallery? Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Imogen Gibbon of National Galleries of Scotland to discuss making art work for everyone, whether it's on display or not; with detours via Scottish fisheries, silver bands, curling and the dangers of dressing neatly.

We often talk of the historic interest in buildings, but what does that mean to the historian? How does art help understand our past? Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi from BHL Art Group talk to Dr Elizabeth Norton , a historian specialising in the Queens of England and the Tudor period, and the author of a number of highly readable books, including ‘ The Lives of Tudor Women ’ and ‘ The Tempta...

It’s good to talk. Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi chat with barrister and mediator Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho of 39 Essex Chambers about how mediation works, and its role in commercial and institutional art disputes. From private disputes to the repatriation of human remains, they look at the role of a third person to facilitate the resolution of disputes. Kelly is the chair of the Civil Media...

How is the viability of a heritage project considered? When do the numbers stack up? Richard and Clarissa talk to David Tomback OBE FRICS, the Development Economics Director of Historic England about optimum viable use, enabling development and climate change. As well as Modern Movement houses, restaurants and wedding venues …

Gripped by the nation's annual tennis fever, Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi turn to heritage tennis with Robert Dolman. Robert explains Real Tennis from the recreation of monks to the sport of Kings, and describes the important cultural and built heritage left to us by this historic game. The podcast team plays to the gallery.