Kristy Bell

Kristy is one of a handful of Accredited Criminal Law Specialists in Queensland. She is a member of the Queensland Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee and has previously served as a member of the Specialist Accreditation Committee. In 2025, Kristy was appointed as Deputy Chair of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council (QSAC).

Kristy has been consistently recognised as one of Queensland’s leading Criminal Defence Lawyers and in 2025, was named as one of Queensland’s Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyers in Doyle’s Guide.

Kristy works on all kinds of criminal and quasi-criminal matters including investigative hearings, commissions of inquiry, coronial inquests, domestic and family violence matters and criminal confiscations matters. She enjoys working alongside experienced practitioners in areas such as immigration, family and commercial litigation to ensure her clients understand the impact of a criminal prosecution on other areas of their lives and receive consistent and timely advice, relevant to their circumstances.

Kristy has experience from all perspectives of the Criminal Justice System, having also worked as a Prosecutor, including conducting prosecutions on behalf of the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and as a Judge’s Associate in the District Court of Queensland.

Kristy understands being charged with a criminal offence is a distressing experience, not just for her clients, but for their families and loved ones. She considers discretion imperative in the conduct of all her matters, irrespective of the profile of her clients. She takes a considered and empathetic approach to client care but is pragmatic in her advice and unyielding in the advocacy of her client’s rights.