Boutique firm Murray Beith Murray LLP excels in handling tax planning strategy mandates for landed estate owners and administrative advisory work for investments and heritable property. The practice is also well equipped to advise high-net-worth Scottish clients on domestic and cross-border matters, particularly regarding the establishment of charitable trusts. An ‘expert in his field’, Peter Shand jointly leads the team alongside Andrew Paterson, focusing on asset protection and executry mandates respectively. Sophie Napier and Fraser Scott advise on tax planning strategies and land sales,  Adam Swayne is another key member, while Alec Stewart joined from Morton Fraser MacRoberts in September 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Peter Shand is an expert in his field. His advice is timely and succinct. He is very easy to deal with, has an eye for detail and a commercial awareness.’

  • ‘Alec Stewart is extremely intelligent and has a unique ability to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to his clients' problems. Particularly good at dealing with complex generational wealth where assets are held across a variety of trusts/companies and personal holdings.'

  • ‘Great blend of being approachable and friendly while being top professionals. MBM work extremely well in collaboration with other professionals ensuring an overall excellent experience for joint clients.’

  • ‘Peter Shand is an outstanding individual. He is very responsive and has been of great assistance.’

  • ‘Sophie Napier is particularly competent, efficient and we have a great deal of confidence in what she is advising.’

  • ‘The team are experts in personal tax, trusts and executries. They are our go-to firm and their knowledge extends beyond legal knowledge to the wider business environment. They are practical as well as technical.’

  • ‘Peter Shand is an excellent lawyer. He is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with.'

  • ‘Peter Shand is a brilliant solicitor; practical, down-to-earth and with excellent attention to detail.’

Work highlights

  • Successfully implemented a tax planning strategy for the transfer of the majority of a significant Scottish landed estate to our client’s nominated heir.
  • Advising clients owning heritable property in both Scotland and England and with a sizeable amount of wealth in EU countries, on their Wills, estates, and wishes to establish a charitable trust.
  • Advising a client on the legal and tax implications of the transfer of a Scottish landed estate into a trust arrangement.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Peter Shand, Andrew Paterson

Other key lawyers

Sophie Napier, Fraser Scott, Alec Stewart, Ruthven Gemmell, Adam Swayne