Beltrami, the legal eagle who led the way in criminal defence, dies at 83
Joe Beltrami was a towering figure in Scotland’s legal landscape
WARM tributes have been paid to the celebrated Glasgow lawyer Joe Beltrami, following his death at the age of 83.
Colleagues across the legal professions hailed the venerable defence lawyer as a “towering figure” who had left an indelible mark on Scotland’s law courts during his 52-year career.
A defence advocate whose prowess and workrate was legendary, Mr Beltrami took part in more than 350 cases in courts ranging from the big cities to the Outer Hebrides. Among his successes were two Royal Pardons for Patrick Meehan, who was falsely accused of murder in 1969, and Maurice Swanson, wrongly convicted for a bank robbery.
He was also responsible for 12 people being spared the hangman’s noose after he successfully gained their acquittals in capital murder cases, while one of the cases led to a change in the law so that someone tried for murder but convicted of a lesser offence such as culpable homicide would not be re-tried for the more serious crime if they successfully appealed their conviction, as had been the case in the past.
His reputation for successfully defending clients was so widely known, the cry: “Get me Beltrami” was a familiar one among the Glasgow criminal fraternity.
Other notable clients included legendary safecracker Johnny Ramensky and Walter Scott Ellis, who was accused of killing a taxi driver in 1961.
News of his death on Monday night was greeted by sadness among his colleagues, who said he was a legal colossus and trailblazer who had worked seven days a week, well into his 70s.
Thomas Ross, President of the Scottish Criminal Bar Association (ScottishCBA), 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.”
David McKie, a partner in Levy and McRae, added: “Joe Beltrami was a giant of a man and of the Scottish legal profession.
“He was easily the best known criminal defence solicitor in Scotland when I entered the profession in 1996 and he had a towering presence in the bar common room.
“While he is well known for many high profile cases, he is perhaps less well known for his astonishing work rate.
“I recall that he continued to work seven days a week until well past his retirement age. I will remember him for all of these qualities and for his high standards on the proper use of syntax both in and out of the courtroom.”
Born in Rutherglen, the son of a Swiss father and Scots mother, Beltrami was brought up in the city’s Briggait area. In 2009, he was presented with an honorary life membership of the Law Society of Scotland.
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.”
Beltrami, who lived in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, leaves behind three sons and eight grandchildren.
THE cry “Get me Beltrami” was famously uttered by thousands of accused in police cells throughout the country, but no longer. Anyone who plaintively pleads: “Get me someone as good as him” is going to have to initiate a search high and low. For there were not and are not many in the mould of Joe Beltrami, one of Scotland’s best-known criminal defence lawyers, who has died aged 83.
In a career spanning half a century, Mr Beltrami was involved in many highprofile cases. He saved a dozen of his clients from the hangman’s noose. He was involved in the first Royal Pardon to be granted in Scotland, when Maurice Swanson had his convictions for bank robbery quashed, and later acted for safe-blower Paddy Meehan, who had been controversially convicted of murder and who also received a Royal Pardon.
Many of the people he represented were both notable and notorious. One may not approve of some of his clients; one may also lament some of the verdicts he was instrumental in bringing about. But there can be no doubt that one of the cornerstones of a free society is the inalienable right of all to a vigorous and strong defence. Joe Beltrami performed a valuable service, and his loss is lamented.