Gordon Nicol

He practised as a defence agent for 45 years and represented clients in courts across Scotland, the Daily Record reports.

In 2010 he joined Renfrewshire-based firm McCusker McElroy & Gallanagh.

Terry Gallanagh, a partner in the firm, said: “Gordon is a huge loss to the profession. We have lost his experience, knowledge and great ability as a lawyer but most of all we have lost a kind, caring gentleman who was far more than a lawyer.

“He was an extremely good man.”

Lawyer Waqqas Ashraf said: “Gordon Nicol wasn’t only my work colleague. He was my mentor, my senior, my friend and my confidant.

“He was a proud family man who always had an interest in the well being of my own. He is going to be missed more than he could ever imagine by those that came into contact with him.

“He was the best of us all.”