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Reactions to Jenack Decision Are Surprisingly Limited So Far

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on December 19, 2013 at 4:34 AM

Since the Court of Appeals’ decision in William J. Jenack Estate Appraisers and Auctioneers, Inc. v. Albert Rabizadeh was released on Tuesday (a decision that the New York Times noted was “first reported by the Art Law Report blog”), reactions have started to come in to the decision. Somewhat surprisingly, they have thus far been relatively few in number. On the whole, few seem exercised about the decision, and no one is gloating, probably because it restores the age-old status quo to which everyone had become accustomed.

Donn Zaretsky generally agrees with the decision, but finds the statutory interpretation used to get there somewhat unusual. Donn has a similar reaction as we did to the oral argument: since every auction has an auctioneer, what is the purpose of a provision especially for goods at public auction if the auctioneer is always an agent of the seller? Ultimately, he also concludes that “The main sense you get, reading the decision, was that the court felt like the buyer here was getting away with something.”

At the Art Newspaper, Laura Gilbert also keyed in on the court’s criticism of Rabidazeh himself, citing the decision’s “sharp words.”

Topics: Legislation, consignment, New York General Obligations Law § 5-701(a)(6), Appellate Division, Auctions, New York Court of Appeals, Ivan Petrovich Khlebnikov, agency, Inc. v. Albert Rabizadeh, New York Supreme Court, Hicks v. Whitmore, Morris Cohon & Co. v. Russell, disclosure, Statute of Frauds, anonymous seller, identity, auction, William J. Jenack Estate Appraisers and Auctioneer

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The Art Law Report provides timely updates and commentary on legal issues in the museum and visual arts communities. It is authored by Nicholas M. O'Donnell, partner in our Art & Museum Law Practice.

The material on this site is for general information only and is not legal advice. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage which may result from reliance on it. Always consult a qualified lawyer about a specific legal problem.

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