Murray Beith Murray

Partner Peter Shand explains in Sunday’s The Scotsman why, despite the accelerating rise of artificial intelligence, there remains a crucial role for independent boutique firms providing specialist tax and wealth advice. Read the full article below, republished by kind permission of The Scotsman. It has long been the job of tax advisers and wealth managers to respond to changes in a client’s circumstances – not least in the event of bankruptcy, redundancy or death.

Andrew Linehan, partner at Murray Beith Murray and former Army tank commander, has been elected President of the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association (SAAVA) — becoming the first lawyer to hold the role since 1925. A recognised specialist in agricultural law, Andrew has previously served as SAAVA’s vice-president and legal adviser. He will continue in his role at the firm while leading SAAVA during a period of significant change for Scotland’s rural sector.

Partner Peter Shand, explains there’s still a place for a boutique offering from independent firms in today's The Scotsman. Read the full article below, republished by kind permission of The Scotsman. You should have some key financial planning dates in your diary, but if you don’t your professional adviser certainly will. Expect plenty of contact from them as they cater for your tax and wealth planning needs over the next couple of years.

One difficult question you need to address when preparing a Will or Power of Attorney is how to deal with digital assets. By their very nature, digital assets are intangible and may be difficult to trace, access and manage. Some of them may be deleted by social media platforms and cease to exist whilst other platforms might convert the digital account content into a legacy but refuse access. When you make a Will or Power of Attorney, it is important to take your digital assets into account.

Partner, Andrew Paterson, discusses in The Scotsman today, budget uncertainty and the value of forward planning. Read the full article below, republished by kind permission of The Scotsman. If you’re budget-weary, I’ve got bad news for you – there’s another one galloping over the horizon soon. This time, it’s our own Scottish version, to be delivered on 13 January, with the familiar fanfare.

A Power of Attorney is a legally binding document, which can provide your attorney, or attorneys with the authority to manage your financial affairs, make welfare decisions on your behalf in the event you become unable, or lack capacity to make decisions for yourself. This may occur due to an unexpected change to your physical, mental, or emotional wellbeing, which affects your ability to make sound decisions.

“We’re back and ready to do it all over again”, a former UK political party leader once quipped, and it certainly feels like a case of “we go again” as another Autumn Budget rolls around seemingly quicker than ever. Despite being one of the closest budgets to Christmas in recent memory, the lead-in time seems to feel longer and longer, with speculation and associated planning starting earlier and earlier.

Inheritance Tax and landlords’ rental income are expected to be in the Chancellor’s cross hairs, writes Private Client Partner, Peter Shand in The Scotsman today. Read the full article below, republished by kind permission of The Scotsman. Both dates are now set, and the guessing games begin – it is budget season.

Murray Beith Murray LLP is delighted to receive continued annual recognition this year from three prestigious legal directories – Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide, The Legal 500 UK and Spear’s 500. Chambers and Partners is a leading independent legal research entity which identifies and ranks top law firms through detailed analysis of the legal sector. In the Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2025, the firm was ranked Band 2 for Private Wealth Law.

When someone dies, the onus of administering their estate does not simply fall on their family. An Executor, or Executors, are normally appointed under a Will, and they are responsible for the distribution of the estate of the deceased. Whilst it is common for family members to be appointed as Executors, it is not always the norm. An Executor can be appointed as Executor-nominate or Executor-dative.