Our beloved former senior partner, the late Leonard Murray, features in the fascinating BBC documentary ‘Inside Barlinnie’ which was recently released and can be viewed on iplayer, link here: Inside Barlinnie . His contribution is in episode 3.
Len was the solicitor who defended Tony Miller, the last ever prisoner to be hanged in Scotland after a murder conviction. Len was a young lawyer at the time, but it is a case which he took with him to his grave. He often spoke of it and the first 3 chapters of his book ‘The Pleader’, cover the case in detail. These chapters and Len’s contribution to the programme not only give an incredible insight into the case, but clearly show the effect the case had on him. They are a reminder not only of the impact which cases had on Len (which made him the great and passionate advocate he was) but on solicitors generally.
Sadly, when the programme was still in production, Len passed away. His family asked David McKie, our current senior partner, to contribute by reading sections from the book and what the case meant to Len.
David McKie said: ‘I was very sad that I didn’t get to see Len reading his own first hand account from his excellent book. When his sons asked me to step in for their dad – my good friend and mentor, I was deeply honoured and humbled to do so. It took me back not only to the many hours I spent talking to Len about cases, to a time before I was born, albeit not that long ago in comparative terms, to a different era when absolutely everything was on the line for clients and their lawyers who carried their lives in their hands. As agents, we still carry enormous burdens of responsibility. This particular case reinforced not only Len’s deep passion for his work but the impact solicitors and advocates feel every day when representing clients, whether accused of serious crimes or in any situation where their liberty, reputation or financial standing is at stake.’
As a firm, Levy & McRae is very saddened to hear of the loss of Alex Salmond.
David McKie, senior partner of the firm, said: “Alex was a true giant of the political world both in Scotland and across the UK. He was unquestionably one of the leading politicians of his generation. He was widely respected across all political viewpoints. He had a unique ability to connect with the person in the street right up to heads of state and royalty. It comes as no surprise to read the many testimonials which followed his untimely death.
“Our involvement with Alex came after his tenure as First Minister and at a difficult time in his life and career.
“While we helped to navigate Alex through three legal processes (judicial review, a trial and the subsequent parliamentary inquiry), the real driving force in all of those processes was Alex himself. He very quickly grasped the legal issues involved and fought hard to ensure that justice was done.
“Alex’s courage and strength of character over the three-year period, from the Scottish Government launching an unlawful process against him, throughout his criminal trial in which he was cleared on all charges by a jury of his peers, to his unimpeachable evidence in the Parliamentary Inquiry, was absolutely incredible.
“What he endured – the apparatus of the state turning against him – would have broken many people, but not Alex.
“He remained utterly determined to see justice done, but showed no bitterness or anger towards his accusers or to the many others who jumped on the bandwagon to condemn him, even before any evidence had been produced or presented.
“Instead, he simply focussed on the evidence and understood, unlike many commentators at the time, the importance of the due process of law. While some individuals, for whatever reasons, remained critical and sceptical (even after his legal victories, all of which were grounded on the evidence), his friends and his true supporters, as well as those who respect the rule and process of law, recognised and respected his complete vindication.
“I will always remember a truly incredible human being, with remarkable insight, strength of personality and a stoic restraint which many others could not contemplate. I cannot fail to mention either his kindness, loyalty, his ability with people and, remarkably, the wonderful sense of humour he managed to show throughout and despite his tribulations.
“My thoughts go out to Moira and to his very close friends and associates whom I had the privilege of getting to know through an otherwise horrendous period in Alex’s life. While there are still some injustices to be resolved, I hope Alex could rest in the knowledge that he was unequivocally vindicated and that he retained the love and respect of those who most mattered to him.’
Callum Anderson, Head of Regulatory Crime, who co-led the criminal defence team in the firm, said: “Working with Alex was a unique and inspiring experience. He exemplified resolve, forensic focus and a strategic understanding which are normally the preserve of only very experienced lawyers.
“I stood next to Alex when he was first arrested and charged and was at his side when he gave a truly unforgettable speech on the day of his acquittal. That day coincided with the start of lockdown and, despite Alex having been overwhelmingly cleared, his focus was instead on those suffering the impact of the pandemic. That was the mark of the man’.
We recently attended a pivotal meeting in Dundee regarding the Eljamel Inquiry, marking a significant step forward in pursuing justice for affected patients.
Led by Inquiry Chair Lord Robert Weir and senior counsel Jamie Dawson KC, the inquiry aims to ensure that the voices of former patients are central to its proceedings. A virtual event took place on Thursday, October 10, 2024, allowing those who couldn’t attend the in-person meeting to engage and share their views.
We have shared Draft Terms of Reference and we encourage all stakeholders to provide their input before the October 25, 2024 submission deadline. You can submit your views directly to the Inquiry Team via the online response form or email at legal@eljamelinquiry.scot.
Your experiences and views matter. For more information, visit Draft Terms of Reference.
If you need assistance, our team at L&M Medilaw is here to support you. Feel free to reach out by phone or email.
We are delighted to announce that our firm has been awarded impressive rankings in the latest Legal 500 2025 edition. This recognition is a testament to our dedication, hard work, and the outstanding expertise of our team.
We have been ranked this year for:
In criminal law we are now the only Tier One firm in Scotland. It is also particularly pleasing to see that in each of the three areas where we are ranked, we also achieve the ‘client satisfaction’ benchmark.
Our lawyers Senior Partner David McKie , Neil Hay, Callum Anderson, Andrew Seggie, Paul Anderson, Hannah Baxter, Elizabeth Rose, Nadine Montgomery Allam and Suzanne Williams were all named in the new rankings, which shows the breadth of talent that our firm possesses.
David McKie commented: ‘I would like to congratulate not only those named this week as recognised leaders in their field, but our whole team of highly skilled and committed lawyers who play a vital role in maintaining our high standards in all areas of litigation. I also want to mark the equally valued contribution of our property and private client teams who play a vital role in maintaining our high standards and reputation among our clients and the profession.’
We are incredibly proud of these achievements and grateful to our clients, partners, and colleagues for their continued support. These accolades drive us to keep delivering exceptional service and results for those who place their trust in us.”
We are pleased to share that one of our trainee solicitors, Cameron Irons, has been appointed as a new committee member to the Trainee and Newly Qualified Society (TANQ), which is run by the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow.
Cameron works across our criminal and commercial litigation teams, and he will now assist the Royal Faculty and the TANQ society committee in arranging and hosting educational seminars, networking events and social gatherings for young legal professionals across the region.
He said: “I am pleased to be appointed as a committee member of TANQ. This will be a unique opportunity to represent young lawyers and contribute to building a collegiate network for colleagues to connect and build on their professional development.”
The Royal Faculty of Procurators was incorporated prior to 1668 and continues to serve the needs of the legal profession in Glasgow and west central Scotland. It provides members with access to a large law library with significant holdings, a well-regarded CPD education programme, the services of an auditor, and a venue in the city centre for a wide variety of events. The Royal Faculty of Procurators also acts as a representative body for solicitors practicing in the Glasgow area.
David McKie, senior partner of Levy and McRae, said: “We are pleased to see Cameron join the RFPG TANQ Society as a newly appointed committee member. We hope his involvement will bolster our firm’s longstanding relations with the RFPG and further increase engagement with younger lawyers across the legal profession.”
You can email the TANQ committee on tanq@rfpg.org or by visiting the RFPG website at https://www.rfpg.org/
We are delighted to share some exciting news with our clients, colleagues, and friends. Our law firm has been shortlisted in an impressive seven categories at the forthcoming Legal 500 Scotland Law Awards. This prestigious recognition underscores our commitment to excellence, dedication to our clients, and the hard work of our talented team.
Each nomination reflects our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional legal services and achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our clients, partners, and colleagues for their ongoing support and trust.
On Friday of last week two senior lawyers from our Private Crime department attended the prestigious Fraud Lawyers Association conference in London. This full-day event, hosted by A&O Sherman in the heart of the city, gathered numerous legal professionals specialising in fraud and financial cases.
The conference boasted a stellar lineup of speakers, including the Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Judges, representatives from the US Department of Justice, and leading solicitors and barristers. The event provided a platform for discussing the latest trends, challenges, and strategies in defending fraud and financial cases.
Our Attendees:
Our lawyers were among the select few representing Scotland at this event, showcasing our firm’s commitment to staying at the forefront of legal developments and ensuring robust defence strategies for our clients.
Levy &McRae remains dedicated to continuous learning and professional development. Attending such high calibre events allows us to maintain our excellence in legal defence, particularly in complex fraud and financial cases.
For more information about our services and expertise in fraud defence, please contact Head of Private Crime, Neil Hay.
As a direct result of our continuous growth and our success in attracting new clients, we are restructuring our Criminal Law Department to provide a more streamlined service for our clients.
In our commitment to providing top-tier legal representation, we have established two new senior positions with Callum Anderson becoming Head of Regulatory Crime and Neil Hay becoming Head of Private Crime. These roles have been created to refine our focus and leverage our extensive expertise in these key areas of criminal law.
The Head of Regulatory Crime will lead for the firm on all professional and regulatory crime, including looking after a number of representative bodies and organisations, as well as overseeing the defence of Health and Safety and regulatory prosecutions, Public Inquiries and Fatal Accident Inquiries.
The Head of Private Crime will lead for the firm in all major areas of criminal law and in financial and white-collar crime for professional, high-profile, high net worth and corporate clients.
Both positions will be filled by highly experienced Solicitor-Advocates from within our ranks, ensuring that our promise of meticulous case preparation and superior court advocacy continues to stand. These seasoned professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and a robust track record of successful outcomes, maintaining our reputation as “The Lawyer’s Lawyers.”
David McKie, senior partner, said: “This restructure enriches the support and advocacy we provide to our clients, ensuring ever more focused and effective representation.
“We value the trust our clients place in us and are dedicated to continuing our work with integrity, confidentiality, and compassion. These changes are designed to reinforce our capability to advocate for your rights and deliver justice, from sheriff courts to the High Court of Justiciary and all forums where regulatory matters are determined.
As always, our team is here for you from the moment of instruction. Contact us for advice, action, and advocacy.
Callum Anderson 07779 622654; canderson@lemac.co.uk
Neil Hay 07866 734524; nhay@lemac.co.uk
We are delighted to share that our Chairman Bill Macreath will once again represent Levy & McRae at the Legal Netlink Alliance Europe Summer meeting, taking place in Budapest from June 28th to 30th and hosted by Stankovic & Partners. This event promises to be a significant gathering, reuniting 60 delegates from over 30 countries across three continents: Europe, North America, and South America.
The focal point of this meeting is our network’s 2030 strategy. Together, we will explore how to strengthen our collaborative efforts and thrive amidst today’s complex and volatile business environment. This is an invaluable opportunity to align our goals and plan our strategies for the future.
Building on the momentum from our successful Malta meeting earlier this year, we are excited to continue with project New Wave. This initiative, which fosters discussions and debate among young lawyers within the Legal Netlink Alliance, aligns with our commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal talent.
We very much look forward to the engaging discussions, innovative ideas, and dynamic networking opportunities that Budapest will offer.
We are proud to announce that our Criminal Law Partner Neil Hay has again been featured among the top legal advisers in the 2024 SpearsIndex, a Spears Magazine annual listing of the lawyers working in criminal and white collar crime for high new worth and ultra high net worth clients.
Neil is the only Scottish Criminal lawyer listed by this prestigious directory, and his recognition follows upon him being awarded Crime Lawyer of the Year in the inaugural Legal 500 Scotland Awards last year.
Neil commented: “I am pleased that our professionalism and expertise in Scottish criminal law matters has again been recognised, in particular around the work we do for high net worth individuals where discretion and strategy are so important”.
Neil`s full profile in the 2024 SpearsIndex can be read here: https://www.spears500.com/adviser/12891/neil-hay
