Anti-seizure legislation has been passed by parliament two months early following the Russian ministry of culture's threat to withdraw works from the From Russia, French and Russian Master Paintings 1870-1925 exhibition at the Royal Academy (RA).
The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act part six was due to come into force in March, but culture secretary James Purnell brought the date forward to 7 January.
The new legislation covers objects on temporary loan from other countries, which the State of Immunity Act (SIA) of 1978 failed to address.
The new legislation covers public and privately owned art. The SIA, which safeguards foreign property in the UK, was directed at state owned works. But the government's decision to speed through the legislation has caused concern in some quarters.
Jonathan Wallis, assistant head of Derby museums, questioned the move, saying there could be ethical implications with the new legislation. "Museums should always check ownership of works anyway, to see if claims are actually valid," he said.
Charles Saumarez Smith, chief executive of the RA, insisted that the new legislation requires "stringent attention to all aspects of due diligence in relation to ownership, which the RA had undertaken anyway in relation to the From Russia exhibition".
The new law also guarantees that works are protected from confiscation by companies seeking recovery of debt from the Russian government.
The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act part six was due to come into force in March, but culture secretary James Purnell brought the date forward to 7 January.
The new legislation covers objects on temporary loan from other countries, which the State of Immunity Act (SIA) of 1978 failed to address.
The new legislation covers public and privately owned art. The SIA, which safeguards foreign property in the UK, was directed at state owned works. But the government's decision to speed through the legislation has caused concern in some quarters.
Jonathan Wallis, assistant head of Derby museums, questioned the move, saying there could be ethical implications with the new legislation. "Museums should always check ownership of works anyway, to see if claims are actually valid," he said.
Charles Saumarez Smith, chief executive of the RA, insisted that the new legislation requires "stringent attention to all aspects of due diligence in relation to ownership, which the RA had undertaken anyway in relation to the From Russia exhibition".
The new law also guarantees that works are protected from confiscation by companies seeking recovery of debt from the Russian government.