Joseph Beltrami

Beltrami & Company was founded in 1958 by Mr Beltrami.

Throughout his career, he appeared for the defence in over 500 murder trials and a number of high-profile cases involving, for example, Johnny Ramensky, Jimmy Boyle, and Arthur Thompson, whom he managed to acquit of various criminal charges on many occasions throughout the 1980s.

Such successful defences led to the coining of the phrase “get me Beltrami” as a plea for legal assistance and representation in desperate circumstances amongst Glaswegians during the time.

Two of Beltrami’s cases led to the only Royal Pardons granted in Scotland in the 20th century; namely that of Patrick Meehan, falsely accused of murder of a pensioner during a break-in at a house in Ayr, and Maurice Swanson, wrongly convicted for a bank robbery.

Further, Mr Beltrami defended successfully in 12 capital murder cases.

As the Scotsman put it, “Beltrami 12, Hangman 0”.

In 1993, Beltrami became the first solicitor advocate to plead in the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Defined by peers as an “institution, not only in Glasgow, but in Scotland”, Mr Beltrami was regarded as Scotland’s best known criminal defence lawyer and was awarded an honorary life membership of the Law Society of Scotland, the highest honour the Law Society can bestow upon a Scottish solicitor.

The firm is managed by solicitor advocates Murray Macara QC and Gary McAteer.

Mr Macara said: “We are all very sad, it’s the passing of an era.”

The Glasgow Bar Association (GBA) joined with other colleagues in the legal profession in mourning the death of Mr Beltrami.

The GBA said: “We offer sincere condolences to Joe’s family. Joe was well known to all who practiced at the Glasgow Bar.”

Mr Beltrami is survived by three sons and eight grandchildren.