Rudy Capildeo

Partner

Art & Luxury

Profile Image

Expertise

Rudy joined Wedlake Bell together with Tim Maxwell as joint Head of the Art & Luxury group.

He advises a broad range of international clients ranging from private collectors, artists and galleries/dealers to museums, financial institutions and off-shore trustees on a variety of complex, commercial matters. He also has a strong client base who operate in the classic car, fine violin and fine wine worlds.

His practice is predominantly non-contentious, and involves the purchase and sale of artworks and other high value collectibles, luxury asset financing, the protection of artists’ rights and the import and export of artworks, classic cars and other luxury assets. He also advises on the purchase and sale of yachts.

Career History

  • Member of Professional Advisors to the International Art Market.
  • Member of the Institute of Art & Law.

Publications

Copyright protection for painters, sculptors and cartoonists in The Subject of Literary and Artistic Copyright published by Edward Elgar.

Guest lecturer at Courtauld Institute of Art, Christie’s Education, Sotheby’s Institute of Art and the Institute of Art & Law.

Endorsements

  • Best Lawyers – Art Law 2024
  • Tier 1 Chambers HNW
  • Tier 1 Chambers UK
  • Leading Individual Legal 500
  • Top Recommended Art Lawyer, Spears 500

Rudy approaches things with technical rigour and delivers solutions in an engaging way. He has a very good client manner, is very personable and keeps complicated solutions simple for clients.

Chamber UK, 2025

It's now one of the largest art practices in London, so their knowledge is current. Rudy Capildeo and Tim Maxwell are delightful and a pleasure to work with.

The Legal 500, 2025

For many years now I have worked with Tim Maxwell and Rudy Capildeo. I am deeply impressed by their vertical and horizontal knowledge in the arts and cultural sector.

The Legal 500, 2025

Rudy Capildeo has been a highly professional adviser, making sure that we have the confidence to push back on behalf of the artists we work with.

The Legal 500, 2025

Rudy is a great lawyer. He is very commercially driven, does not overcomplicate matters and is very pragmatic in trying to find reasonable solutions for us

Chambers, High Net Worth 2024

Rudy is a top commercial lawyer who specialises in the art world. He is very good on transactions, business dealings, art market professionals and regulation

Chambers, High Net Worth 2024

Rudy has excellent knowledge of law and of the art market.

Chambers, High Net Worth 2023

Rudy Capildeo understands the market really well. He is very calm and knowledgeable.

Chambers, High Net Worth 2023

News

Wedlake Bell Wins Art Law Team of the Year at Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Awards 2024

Wedlake Bell’s Art & Luxury team has been awarded Art Law Team of the Year at the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Awards 2024. The awards are based onRead more

In Trust

Protecting a Collection

Earlier this year, the British Museum imposed emergency security measures on its collection and launched an independent review of its protocols following news that 2,000 artefacts had been stolen byRead more

News

THE WAVERLEY CRITERIA – WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

In the past six months, the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (the “Committee“) has been rather busy. In March it wasRead more

News

Change to the legal definition of “treasure”: pearls of wisdom for landowners

The government has announced that the legal definition of “treasure” in the Treasure Act 1996 will be expanded. Currently, the definition includes that objects must be “at least 300 yearsRead more

News

Wedlake Bell sponsors London Art Week 2023

Wedlake Bell has announced its sponsorship of London Art Week 2023  enhancing its commitment to clients’ private capital needs following the recent recruitment of one of London’s market leading ArtRead more

News

YOU SHOULD BANK[SY] THAT!

It was recently reported that the building on which one of Banksy’s latest murals was painted had been demolished, destroying the mural in the process. Titled ‘Morning is Broken’, theRead more