Law Society and Scottish Criminal Bar Association pay tribute to Joe Beltrami

Law Society and Scottish Criminal Bar Association pay tribute to Joe Beltrami

Commenting on the death of Scottish solicitor Joe Beltrami (pictured), Alistair Morris, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “Joe Beltrami was a towering figure in Scotland’s legal landscape and will be much missed by all those who knew him.

“Joe became a household name as one of the country’s foremost criminal defence solicitors and after campaigning for extended rights for solicitors to represent clients in Scotland’s higher courts, qualified as one of the first solicitor advocates.

“We were delighted to award him honorary life membership of the Law Society in 2009 for the enormous contribution he made to the solicitors’ profession during a career which spanned more than 50 years.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.”

Thomas Ross, president of the Scottish Criminal Bar Association(Scottish CBA), (formerly the Faculty of Advocates Criminal Bar Association) said: “The Scottish Criminal Bar Association is extremely sad to learn of the passing of Joseph Beltrami.

“Perhaps the first lawyer in Scotland to specialise in criminal law, he laid the path for all of us to follow.

“No counsel instructed by him failed to learn from his guidance. Known fondly as ‘Big Joe’ - he will never be forgotten.”

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