Nicola Bell
Solicitor
Swithchboard: 01782 205000
24Hr Emergency No: 07699 726180
PA: Ann Chell
Practice areas
Nicola joined the firm in 2008 having spent 9 years specialising in criminal defence locally, specifically with Counsel, defending the more serious cases before the Crown Court.
Having qualified in 2004, she became a Duty Solicitor in 2005. She is an experienced advocate in the Magistrates Court.
In 2008 she was granted Higher Rights of Audience to appear in the Crown Court, and now follows those cases deemed to serious from the Magistrates Court through to the Crown Court.
Specialisms
- ‘White-collar’ dishonesty in the form of theft from employer and abuse of position under the new Fraud Act
- Counterfeiting and forgery, specifically the more recent Identity Cards legislation, involving false passport and other document offences, and related fraud offences and immigration issues, when employment has been gained
- Dwelling burglary and the new guideline case law and sentencing guidelines
- Sentencing guidelines and the current guideline case law for offences of burglary, knife crime and dangerous driving.
- Mentally disordered offenders and the specific issues with the process in relation to them, through the Magistrates Court.
Notable cases
In early 2009, two of her cases before the Crown Court involved ‘white-collar’ dishonesty. Fraudulent transactions amounting to £17,000 were carried out by a company accountant with a local firm and £30,000 was stolen by a Deputy Manager for a national company.
Professional
- Duty solicitor
- Higher Court Advocate
Personal
- Nicola is married and has 2 children; in an ideal world she would have some spare time to pursue some hobbies of her own!
