Proposed German law makes it easier to recover Nazi-looted art
It’s fair to say that when Cornelius Gurlitt’s looted art stash was discovered last year in Munich, the world was shocked that such a huge trove could have gone unnoticed for so many years. Many were then dismayed to learn that German law preempted any lawsuits resulting from the discovery because of a strictly enforced thirty-year statute of limitations on claims.
Partly as a response, German legislators recently proposed a law, entitled Lex Gurlitt, that would lift the thirty-year statute of limitations and make it easier for Jewish heirs to claim Nazi-looted art, furniture, and other goods. While this law would not be retroactive, thus not affecting the Gurlitt find, it represents a good-faith step in the right direction.
