Germany’s New Arbitration Court for Nazi-Looted Art
On Dec. 1, 2025, Germany launched its new Arbitration Tribunal for Nazi-Looted Art. This is a game changer. It affects not only claimants with restitution claims against German public museums but also art collections around the globe regarding their restitution strategies, liability risks and collection audits.
New Arbitration Tribunal
The new arbitration tribunal is intended to resolve disputes on restitution claims regarding Nazi-looted art. Unlike the previous Advisory Commission on the Restitution of Cultural Property Seized under Nazi Persecution, which could only issue non-binding ethical recommendations, the decisions of the new German arbitration tribunal have direct legal effect. They can be treated and enforced as arbitral award…