Immunity from seizure

How objects loaned to us from overseas for temporary public exhibitions may be immune from seizure

Part 6 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 provides immunity from seizure for cultural objects which are loaned from overseas to temporary public exhibitions in approved museums or galleries in the UK, where conditions are met when the object enters the UK.

The conditions are:
  • The object is usually kept outside the UK
  • The object is not owned by a person who is resident in UK
  • Importing the object does not contravene any law
  • The object is brought into UK for the purpose of a temporary public exhibition at an approved museum or gallery
  • The museum or gallery has published information about the object.
For further information please refer to the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 or the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport website.

View a list of cultural objects intended to form part of a forthcoming exhibition at the British Library that may be covered by immunity from seizure.