Parthenon Marbles and International Law

Prof. Catharine Titi, Dr iur., FCIArb, is a tenured Research Associate Professor at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)–CERSA, University Paris-Panthéon-Assas, France.

• Introduction.- Part One: The Facts.- The Parthenon.- Elgin and the Marbles.- The Acquisition of the Marbles by the UK Government.- Greek Demands for Return.- The British Museum and the Marbles.- Part Two: Access to Dispute Settlement.- What Method of Dispute Settlement?.- Issues of Jurisdiction and Admissibility.- Part Three: The Law Applicable to the Substance of the Dispute.- Treaty Law.- Customary International Law.- Part Four: Time Future.- Conclusion: Homecoming.- Annex.

“This is the most comprehensive, well-structured, published analysis of the Parthenon Marbles, which skillfully assesses the classic claims regarding the Marbles’ acquisition ... . Titi shines when she analyzes whether Greece’s claim could be brought to the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, and its potential success. ... her skill at clearly applying the law to the facts is valuable.” (Lauren Bursey, Journal of International Humanitarian Legal Studies, July 2, 2024)“Titi achieves a significant milestone in international legal scholarship … . Titi’s book is an important asset to potential stakeholders engaged in efforts to ensure restitution, and particularly to the Greek government. Moreover, the book succeeds in translating public sentiment into convincing international legal language, validating what Greeks have felt for decades: justice demands that the  marbles be brought back ‘home’. This, perhaps, is Titi’s most immeasurable contribution.” (Panagiotis A Kyriakou, Cambridge International Law Journal, Vol. 13 (1), June, 2024)“A superlative examination of the legal case surrounding the status of the Parthenon Marbles … Her magisterial work … is truly groundbreaking. It is indeed fit to put to rest for good one allegedly key support for the British Museum’s retentionist case. … It is not possible to summarise justly a work of the depth, complexity and originality of Titi’s.” (Paul Cartledge, ARGO - A Hellenic Review, Issue 19, 2024)“Her magisterial work is truly groundbreaking … .” (Paul Cartledge, Classics for All, classicsforall.org.uk, February 12, 2024)“In The Parthenon Marbles and International Law, Catharine Titi … examines how the marbles were acquired, the question of good title, and the various legal mechanisms that may or may not be employed to secure their return to Greece. … There is nothing like the regimented examinations of one trained in law. … thorough recital … .” (Eleni Vassilika, The Art Newspaper, theartnewspaper.com, September 29, 2023)“This gem of a book … a very strong and formidable text … . The Parthenon Marbles and International Law is both a tour de horizon and a tour de force on the law. Marvelously written and with a keen eye for both detail and nuance, Professor Catharine Titi informs as much as she provokes thought on the nature of international law ... . It is a must read for anyone interested in this area of international law.” (Michael G. Karnavas, michaelgkarnavas.net/blog, August 2, 2023)