A hearing for the dispute over works of art by Careys Bay artist Ralph Hotere has been set for February 2 in the High Court at Wellington.
The court action follows the cancellation of an auction in September of 60 Hotere works which were being offered for sale by Maori art adviser Annette Ferguson (also known as Annette Asher) through Art and Object Ltd's Auckland auction house.
The auctioneers said the cancellation was due to a dispute over the ownership of some of the works.
The civil action has been brought by the artist, with Annette Asher listed as first defendant and Art and Object Ltd as second defendant.
Details of the statement of claim were not available.
