A long-running law firm based in Edinburgh has published its accounts publicly for the first time
Now Murray Beith Murray has embarked on its own new chapter by publishing key financial information for the first time in 175 years, Established in 1849, the private client firm has published its accounts publicly after completing the transition to a limited liability partnership (LLP).
It marks a significant milestone for Murray Beith Murray, which operated out of the building at 39 Castle Street in Edinburgh for 160 years. That address was originally built for Sir Walter as a family home in the early 19th century.
Acclaimed for his transformational writing for Scotland, Sir Walter had bought the New Town property in 1802 and lived there until 1826. A gravestone dedicated to his dog Camp remains in the address’s garden.
Sir Walter wrote several Waverley novels while living at 39 Castle Street. He paid £1,750 for the property and spent much of the winter months living at the address.
Murray Beith Murray, which has eight partners and almost 70 staff, relocated its headquarters from the Castle Street property to 3 Glenfinlas Street in Edinburgh in 2009.
The law firm has more than doubled its turnover in the past decade, with the published accounts showing revenue up by 10 per cent in the past year. Murray Beith Murray listed having almost £3.2 million in net assets for 2024/25 - an increase of £521,952 on the previous financial year.
Firm chairman Andrew Paterson said: “Becoming a limited liability partnership marks a new era in Murray Beith Murray’s 175-year history. “It brings us into line with other leading private client firms, while preserving the independence and personal service that have defined our work for generations.
“As our latest accounts show, the firm continues to remain in a strong financial position, with no external debt - a situation that reflects the trust our clients continue to place in us, generation after generation.
“As we embark on this new chapter, we will seek to modernise various aspects of our operations, while always continuing to put the interests of our clients first.
“We are committed to continued growth and want to remain a strong, niche, specialist practice for a long time to come.”
In a statement, Murray Beith Murray said it had forecast further growth in coming years, describing the performance of the business in 2024/25 as strong.
The partnership dates to 1849, when Andrew Murray joined with Donald Beith to form Murray & Beith. George John Murray later joined the firm in 1867, leading to the creation of today’s company name.
There were just 14 partners during the firm’s first 104 years in operation, before a period of significant growth.
Other partners of the firm have included Patrick Murray, a founding member of the Scottish Zoological Society, and Sir William Campbell Johnston, who served as Deputy Keeper of the Signet and was appointed as the first chairman of the General Council of Solicitors.