Murray Beith Murray LLP > Edinburgh, United Kingdom > Firm Profile

Murray Beith Murray LLP
3 GLENFINLAS STREET
EDINBURGH
EH3 6AQ
United Kingdom

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 2

Private client boutique Murray Beith Murray LLP draws on the firm’s wider private client capabilities to advise on the full range of rural property transactions, wealth management and succession planning matters. The team is regularly instructed by estates, trusts and corporate entities. Andrew Linehan, an accredited rural law specialist, heads the practice and is supported by associates Dorothy Lawrence, Anna MacLeod and Nicola Roberts. Hugh Younger retired from the partnership in 2023 but continues to assist clients as consultant.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Linehan

Testimonials

‘Very approachable team and willing to meet clients on-site.’

‘Andrew Linehan has many years of extensive experience in the rural sector, including advising farms and estates on property matters, both at transactional and strategic levels.’

‘Andrew Linehan is very good at liaising closely with clients, and recognises the importance of understanding both the positive and negative consequences of any instruction, before the instructions are put into action.’

‘The rural team at Murray Beith Murray led by Andrew Linehan provides advice that is practical, personal, relevant to the circumstances and, more importantly, works on the ground. They offer a real alternative to the large Edinburgh practices.’

‘Andrew Linehan is a gentle giant with an understated manner, who commands a natural confidence and authority, which makes you listen attentively to the advice provided.’

‘The Murray Beith Murray team combines technical expertise and experience across the full breadth of the rural land sector with excellent client care and communication skills. They are also excellent in collaboration with other professional advisors (e.g land agents and tax advisors) to ensure their clients receive the best possible advice.’

‘I have worked particularly closely with Andrew Linehan and his colleagues, Nicola Roberts and Dorothy Lawrence. Their ability to maintain momentum in the transaction, address the legal technicalities and process them efficiently as well as the quality of reporting to the client and agent sets them apart from many of their peers in the sector.’

Key clients

Mansfield Estate

Work highlights

  • Acting on the lotted sale of a substantial traditional highland estate centred on a mansion house with a mix of let and in-hand farms, cottages, forestry and salmon fishings, and involving complex title issues.
  • Acted on the private sale of a 10,000-acre highland sporting estate.
  • Acted for an LLP, which already owned an extensive highland estate, on purchasing a neighbouring 2,000-acre estate.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 2

Private client boutique Murray Beith Murray LLP has demonstrable strength advising high-net-worth families and individuals on high-value, cross-border trust litigation. Succession planning and asset protection specialist Andrew Paterson heads the team, which includes associate Kathryn Johnston, a key contact for cross-border and international matters, as well as Peter Shand, who advises on tax planning and inheritance issues. Private client and rural property law expert Hugh Younger retired from the partnership in February 2023 but continues to act for clients as consultant.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Paterson

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They are a friendly, informative practice and respond in a very timely manner to queries, particularly Andrew Paterson.’

The provide a very good service.

Work highlights

  • Completing the administration of a complex estate, and considering a potential claim against the executors’ previous solicitors for their potentially negligent work in relation to the inheritance tax position.
  • Acting for the trustees and the directors of the underlying family business (owned by the trust) on the division and dissolution of the trust.
  • Advising a widowed client in relation to her interest in her husband’s estate, including advice on a potential legal rights claim.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and executries Tier 2

Private client boutique Murray Beith Murray LLP is regularly instructed by wealthy individuals domiciled in Scotland and abroad to assist with a wide range of trusts and estates, personal tax and executry matters. Asset protection, succession planning and taxation issues are key areas of focus for the group, which is overseen by Peter Shand. The highly rated Ruthven Gemmell is best known for his cross-border work for high-net-worth individuals, while Andrew Paterson's practice covers will drafting, estates administration and powers of attorney matters. Sophie Napier and Fraser Scott are other core members of the team.

Practice head(s):

Peter Shand

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Any experience I’ve had with Murray Beith Murray has been highly professional, and I’ve found them excellent partners to work with in private client affairs.’

‘Fraser Scott is the partner I have had the closest association with. He is knowledgeable, diligent and also approachable. He has a great manner and it helps that clients can respect him but are not intimidated and therefore find it easier to open up. I’ve used him for my own personal affairs as I trust him implicitly.’

‘The team at Murray Beith Murray offers a unique service that blends expert advice delivered in a friendly manner with a personal touch unrivalled by other firms. They are always available for advice and have a diverse blend of skills; this makes them out of the ordinary.’

‘Technical expertise, experience, standing in the market. Prompt attention to matters. Andrew Paterson is a standout partner in the firm and in the market.’

‘I thoroughly appreciated Andrew Paterson’s professionalism and support in dealing with the problems another firm had created with a family trust. He gave clear, detailed advice, ensured that the trust assets were safe and promptly took all necessary steps.’

‘Ruthven Gemmell has been invaluable in guiding me through all aspects of legal and financial life. On a day-to-day basis, I also have nothing but praise for Adam Swayne.’

‘Experienced and client-focused practitioners.’

‘Peter Shand is very user-friendly, knowledgeable and instils confidence.’

Work highlights

Established in 1849, and headquartered in Edinburgh, Murray Beith Murray LLP is a leading boutique private client practice which specialises in acting in complex legal matters for high-net-worth individuals domiciled in Scotland, across the UK and internationally.

The firm’s expertise includes advising rural landowners and family businesses, with no less than four clients who appear in the current Times Rich List, Scotland’s Top 50.

As ‘trusted advisors for generations’, the firm delivers a partner-led holistic approach to clients, combining multi-disciplinary expertise in:

    • Succession and estate planning
    • Trusts, trust administration and financial management
    • Wills and Powers of Attorney
    • Family business advice
    • Tax – personal, trust and executry
    • Executries (including contentious executries)
    • Dispute resolution and litigation
    • Rural property and countryside matters
    • Residential property
    • Commercial property
Department Name Email Telephone
Asset Protection & Estate Planning Peter Shand peter.shand@murraybeith.co.uk 0131 225 1200
Executries, Asset Protection, Estate Planning & Tax Andrew Paterson andrew.paterson@murraybeith.co.uk 0131 225 1200
Asset Protection & Estate Planning Alec Stewart alec.stewart@murraybeith.co.uk 0131 225 1200
Asset Protection & Estate Planning Sophie Napier sophie.napier@murraybeith.co.uk 0131 225 1200
Asset Protection & Estate Planning Fraser Scott fraser.scott@murraybeith.co.uk 0131 225 1200
Rural Property & Countryside Matters Andrew Linehan andrew.linehan@murraybeith.co.uk 0131 225 1200
Residential Property Andrew Stephen andrew.stephen@murraybeith.co.uk 0131 225 1200
Commercial Property Bill Meldrum bill.meldrum@murraybeith.co.uk 0131 225 1200
Photo Name Position Profile
Kathryn Johnston photo Kathryn Johnston Associate – Asset Protection & Estate Planning  Kathryn specialises in advising individuals…
Dorothy  Lawrence photo Dorothy Lawrence Associate – Rural Property & estates  Dorothy is an Associate in our Rural…
Andrew Linehan photo Andrew Linehan Partner – Rural property & estates  Andrew Linehan is Head of the…
Anna MacLeod photo Anna MacLeod Senior Solicitor – Rural property and estates  Anna qualified in 2015 and…
Alastair Marshall photo Alastair Marshall Senior Solicitor – Residential Property  Alastair has over 15 years of experience…
Kara McCormick photo Kara McCormick Solicitor – Asset Protection & Estate Planning  Kara deals with a range…
Bill Meldrum photo Bill Meldrum Partner – Commercial Property Murray Beith Murray takes a holistic approach in…
Sophie Napier photo Sophie Napier Partner – Asset Protection & Estate Planning 
Andrew Paterson photo Andrew Paterson Partner – Asset Protection, Estate Planning & Executry  Andrew is Head of…
Chloe Ramsay photo Chloe Ramsay Solicitor – Rural Property & estates  Chloe’s current focus is primarily for…
Nicola Roberts photo Nicola Roberts Associate – Rural property and estates
Fraser Scott photo Fraser Scott Partner – Asset Protection & Estate Planning  Fraser specialises in advising individuals…
Sally Scott Lintott photo Sally Scott Lintott Senior Solicitor – Commercial Property  Sally joined Murray Beith Murray’s Commercial Property…
Peter Shand photo Peter Shand Partner – Asset Protection & Estate Planning  Peter is responsible for meeting…
Andrew Stephen photo Andrew Stephen Partner – Residential Property  Andrew is head of the Residential Property group. …
Alec Stewart photo Alec Stewart Partner – Asset Protection & Estate Planning Areas of work: Estate and…
Adam Swayne photo Adam Swayne Senior Solicitor – Asset Protection & Estate Planning  Adam regularly advises individuals…
Emma Walker photo Emma Walker Solicitor – Rural Property & estates  Emma is a Newly Qualified Solicitor…