%0 Journal Article %T Functions of international regulations protecting illegally exported cultural objects as exemplified by the UNIDROIT Convention of 1995 %A Nowak-Far, Artur %J Santander Art and Culture Law Review %V 2015 %R 10.4467/2450050XSR.15.001.3768 %N 1/2015 (1) %P 49-66 %K protection of cultural property, the Roman Convention UNIDROIT, restitution of cultural objects, cultural property %@ 2391-7997 %D 2015 %U https://ejournals.eu/en/journal/saaclr/article/funkcje-miedzynarodowych-regulacji-ochrony-nieregularnie-przemieszczonych-dobr-kultury-przyklad-konwencji-unidroit-z-1995-roku %X The 1995 Rome Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects (UNIDROIT) makes a significant contribution to the international system of protection against the illegal export of cultural goods. It also constitutes part of a network of world-wide regulations that is currently being built up with the aim of protecting the cultural heritage of individual societies. This network, not yet fully complete, is still expanding and developing. The basic formula of UNIDROIT is the principle of the return of stolen or illegally exported cultural property, including cultural objects legally acquired but not transferred to a legally entitled entity. The Rome Convention specifies procedures that are of material importance in restitution proceedings such as: the principal elements of proceedings in restitution cases, the main evidential issues as well as the competence and jurisdiction of state bodies. The effect of individual states harmonizing their regulations with the provisions of the Convention is the improved transparency of national regulations and the increased efficacy of the international system for the restitution of cultural objects arising from the establishment of world-wide standards.