Ros Scott Bell

Described in the leading legal directories as one who, “sees the key issues, focuses on them and drives home her points effectively”.  She is a “perceptive and precise advocate”.  Recommended in 2009 for trading standards and environmental health work and she “ makes her case very effectively”. Described as " persuasive, gains the ear of the court " , Legal 500 2010. In the 2011 Legal 500 she has ‘an eye for detail, is immensely thorough and can get to grips with the most complicated of regulatory cases’.

Appointments:

Grade 4 Prosecutor
General Medical Council Legal Assessor

Specialisms:

• Serious crime, principally violence, sexual violence and fraud.
• Regulatory crime, including trading standards and environmental health.
• Professional disciplinary and misconduct proceedings.
• Firearms, liquor, taxi and security authority licensing.
• Ancillary Relief.

Experience:

Crime

Has prosecuted and defended serious sexual offences, murders, kidnap, money laundering and fraud. She has a reputation for handling cases that involve particularly vulnerable individuals (witnesses or defendants) either because of their age or their ability.

R v Samuel Walsh [2008] 1 Cr.App.R.(S.) 33 – sentence of detention for life for a young offender upheld. Dangerous offender provisions.

R v David Ruddick [2004] 1 Cr.App.R.(S.) 7 – confiscation, procedural irregularity does not make the order a nullity.

Regulatory offences

Has appeared on behalf of Local Authorities and defended in regulatory prosecutions, for example:-

Health and Safety

North Tyneside Council v PMS International Group PLC - Toy safety (lead in paint on imported toys).
Durham County Council v Northumbrian Water Ltd – duties of street undertakers.

Food safety

North Tyneside Council v Asda (foreign bodies in bread)
Salmonella poisoning in restaurants

Trading standards

Animal welfare, fallen stock and cattle database regulations
Trade Marks Act infringements
Trade Description Act infringements
Enterprise Act
Tree Preservation Order infringements

Disciplinary Proceedings

Appointed as a Legal Assessor to the General Medical Council and regularly advises Panels who sit to consider the conduct of doctors.

Regularly appears for the “Appropriate Authority” in Police disciplinary proceedings. Has advised both Durham and Northumbria Chief Constables in Reviews of decisions.

Memberships:

Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers

Lectures & Seminars:

Contributes to Trinity's ongoing programme of seminars covering topics including disciplinary hearings and public interest immunity disclosure.