Legal Hour 
Tuesday 20th January, from 13:00 GMT (UK time) | Online

Legal Hour is a new VAA session created to give artists clear, practical answers to the legal questions they actually face in their working lives.

Many artists feel unsure about their rights, nervous about contracts, or uncertain what to do when something goes wrong, such as a late payment, an unclear agreement, or someone copying their work. This first Legal Hour session creates a safe, informal space where artists can ask those questions and receive plain-English guidance from an experienced arts lawyer.

The session will welcome Pierre Valentin and guided by the questions you bring. There is no such thing as a silly question, and the focus is on clarity, reassurance and practical next steps rather than legal jargon or complexity.

Artists are invited to ask about topics such as:

What to do if a gallery or client has not paid you
Who owns copyright when you sell a commission or license your work
What to check before signing a contract or agreement
Whether you can reuse or resell your own work after a licensing deal
What to do if someone copies your work online
How to handle disputes in a calm and constructive way

This session is designed specifically for visual artists working across different media and career stages, whether you work independently, through galleries, on commission, or digitally.

This first Legal Hour will help us shape future sessions based on the questions and needs that emerge.

The session will be recorded and a replay link will be shared with everyone who signs up.

If you would like to submit a question in advance, please email events@visual-artists.org with the subject line Legal Hour Question.

Guest Speaker

Pierre Valentin – Art Lawyer

Pierre is one of the most respected art lawyers practising today and a leading figure in art and cultural property law. With over 25 years of experience, he has advised collectors, galleries, artists, museums, auction houses, private banks, and institutions across the UK, Europe, the USA, the Middle East and Asia.
Previously in-house counsel at Sotheby’s and later partner leading the Art & Cultural Property Law Group at Withers, Pierre has acted on landmark cases relating to ownership, authenticity, art fraud, and complex international transactions.
He is also a trustee of the Artists’ Collecting Society, a specialist in copyright and resale rights, and an accredited mediator for the World Intellectual Property Organisation. Pierre is widely recognised as a “go-to lawyer” in the global art market, praised for his expertise, clarity and strategic approach.

Session Lead

Laura O’Hare – VAA Director

Laura is responsible for leading the artistic and business development at VAA. Laura has been working in the Fine Arts sector since 2012 and is a founder of the VAA. Presently, Director of the Visual Art Open Prize, the Professional Artist Award and the International Exhibition and Scholarship Prize. Laura has a wealth of experience in managing relationships with artists and understanding their needs. Laura has an extensive network including arts organisations, galleries, publishers and commercial partners. Laura has helped hundreds of artists figure out how to thrive at all stages of their fine art careers. Prior to working in the arts industry, Laura was a solicitor specialising in Employment Law for over 15 years.

This session is free and open to both VAA members and non-members.
Booking is essential. If you experience any issues, please contact events@visual-artists.org.