Tributes on passing of Balfour + Manson's Ian Balfour

Tributes have been paid to Ian Balfour, former senior partner of Edinburgh law firm Balfour + Manson, who has died aged 89.

Mr Balfour, whose grandfather co-founded the firm in 1887, was educated at Edinburgh Academy and Edinburgh University, serving his apprenticeship with the firm along with his studies, as was the practice then. He qualified in 1955, became a partner in 1958, and after his retirement as senior partner in 1997 remained a much-valued "wise counsel" to those in the firm well into his 80s. Until last year he was working as joint auditor for Edinburgh Sheriff Court. 

An innovative manager, he streamlined many aspects of Balfour + Manson’s business activities. He arranged upskilling of staff to carry out new roles interfacing with clients, and was an early organiser of the firm into specialisations. He himself became the full time Court of Session practitioner. Another key innovation was to engage four apprentices each year, and later trainees.

He was also an early adopter of computers in legal practice and had an impressive knowledge of them.

A man of devout faith, Mr Balfour had considered becoming a lay preacher and studied for a Degree in Divinity from the University of London, graduating in 1959. He was a member, and for a time secretary, of Charlotte Baptist Chapel in Rose Street, Edinburgh, and accepted an invitation to be president of the Baptist Union of Scotland for 1977-78. This again stimulated his academic interest in theology, and  in 1980 he obtained a PhD in Theology from New College Edinburgh.

In other appointments he was a fiscal to the Royal College of Nursing, which dealt with nursing discipline, and a fiscal to the Law Society of Scotland on disciplinary matters. He was also Secretary to the SSC Society and a tribunal chairman for Child Support.

He spent many years writing historical records of his family, a book about Charlotte Chapel, and a history of Balfour & Manson as well as writing on many other topics of historical or entertaining interest to him.

Elaine Motion, chairman of Balfour + Manson, described Mr Balfour as "a phenomenally knowledgeable and talented lawyer" throughout his lengthy and distinguished career.

She commented: "Ian will be sadly missed by partners and staff, past and present. Through both his professional and social life he was a great friend to so many, and on a personal level I will always appreciate the opportunity and guidance Ian offered me. He was a quiet man of real stature and gravitas whose talents extended well beyond the law – one example being his historical narrative about the firm and those who have passed through it over the decades. He visited the office regularly until late last year when he retired as a sheriff court auditor.

"Everyone connected with Balfour + Manson will continue to honour this fine man by continuing the legacy that he and his family brought to legal practice in Edinburgh."

Ian Balfour is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce Pryde, their four children, along with 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.