LISTEN: Tributes Paid To 'Legend' Glasgow Lawyer Beltrami

Tributes have been paid to Joe Beltrami, one of Scotland's most high-profile defence lawyers who has died at the age of 83.

In a 50-year career he was involved in a number of famous criminal trials in Glasgow, defending some clients who faced the death penalty.

He helped secure two Royal Pardons, one issued for Paddy Meehan, who was released in 1976 after serving seven years for a wrongful murder conviction, and the other for Maurice Swanson in 1975 when his conviction for a bank robbery was overturned.

When recognised with a lifetime achievement award at the Law Awards of Scotland in 2008, Mr Beltrami said he had instructed in more than 350 murder cases and appeared in every court in Scotland, from Shetland to Duns.

He was also made an honorary life member of the Law Society of Scotland, the highest honour the society can bestow on a Scottish solicitor.

Our reporter Connor Gillies has been speaking to Donald Findlay QC who was a close friend and colleague:

A statement from the firm he founded, Beltrami & Co, announced the death.

It read: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our founder, the legendary Mr Joseph Beltrami. Sincere condolences to his family.''

The Glasgow Bar Association said: The Glasgow Bar Association joins with other colleagues in the legal profession in mourning the death of Joe Beltrami.

We offer sincere condolences to Joe's family.Joe was well-known to all who practised at the Glasgow Bar.''

A profile of Mr Beltrami on his firm's website said his successful defences in high-profile cases 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''.