Emma Bell

I am a Legal Director in the Newcastle Asbestos and Occupational Disease Team specialising in claims for asbestos-related diseases. I have over 14 years’ experience helping clients impacted by mesothelioma, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer and pleural thickening. I also deal with other (non-asbestos related) occupational illness claims and have handled many complex and high value cases throughout my career.

I am passionate about supporting my clients in any way possible and I work closely with our Support and Rehabilitation Co-Ordinator, healthcare professionals, other legal teams, charities and a local asbestos support group, READLEY, to support the needs of my clients.

I always strive to provide an expert, efficient and exceptional client service with a personal touch, demonstrated by the large amount of 5* Trust Pilot and Google reviews I have been honoured to have received from former clients over the years.

I have also secured over £1 million in non-NHS funded treatment for my mesothelioma clients. This is an increasingly important area due to the limited funding and treatment available on the NHS and is something I feel strongly about. I have previously written an article and spoken about such issues.

I am an accredited APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) Senior Litigator and APIL accredited as an Occupational Disease Specialist, an Asbestos Disease Specialist and a Fatal Accidents Act Specialist. I am also a member of PEOPIL (Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers) and have presented at an international lawyers’ conference on the specialist topic of asbestos on ships.

What inspired you to get into law?

Having grown up in an underprivileged area and with none of my family ever having attended University, I wanted to do something different and to make a difference to others.

I have always wanted to pursue a challenging career and law enables me to constantly challenge myself while making a difference to individuals and organisations.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?

Being able to get to know and befriend my lovely clients and being able to take some of their worries and stresses away from them so that they can focus on the most important things to them.

What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?

I like being part of a large national team with access to a number of resources and an ethos which places its clients at the forefront of the services it provides, maintaining an “expert hand with a human touch”.

What do you do away from the office?

I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and two young children, meeting up with friends, holidaying abroad and going to the gym (when I can find the time!)

Testimonials

"Emma provided really clear instructions and guidance when needed" - Chambers & Partners 2026 (Associate to Watch)

"Emma is wonderful" - Chambers & Partners 2026 (Associate to Watch)

"Emma Bell was the solicitor handling my claim and I could not be more pleased with the work she put in and how she continually kept me up to date with the progress and finally getting a good result" - 5* Trustpilot review, 2025

"From me contacting Irwin Mitchell about my father's diagnosis and subsequent death from Mesothelioma, I can honestly say the whole process was made so much easier by this superb team of people, Emma Bell, Heather Ruddick and Stephanie Denham. They kept me informed of the progress of my claim at every stage, advised me on legal requirements and put my mind at ease throughout. I cannot thank them all enough for looking after me during this very traumatic and upsetting time. They have all treated me like family and now see Emma as a good friend. Don't ever be afraid to pursue a claim for an industrial disease, this Company will look after you from start to completion" - 5* Trustpilot review, 2025

"Just wanted to say thanks on behalf of recent experience with XXXX. We worked with Emma Bell and the experience and service was 10/10 Highly recommended" - 5* Google review, 2025

"Very keen to ensure a good outcome for clients and keep in touch even when the case is settled. They do care for their clients" - Client feedback, 2025

"Would like to thank Emma Bell & Stephanie Denham for all the help and care through a very difficult time for myself and my family.

"They have gone above and beyond in a very professional way to reach a settlement in very difficult circumstances I cannot thank them enough and would recommend Irwin Mitchell Solicitors" - 5* Trustpilot review, 2025

"Right from first with Irwin Mitchell I felt like I mattered." - Client feedback, 2025

"She is excellent." Chambers & Partners 2025 (Associate to Watch)

"Emma Bell is a senior associate at Irwin Mitchell. She has particular experience handling claims for individuals with asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Emma is an excellent lawyer and client advocate. She's always thorough and spots inconsistencies before disclosure. She's very efficient and effective." Chambers & Partners 2024 (Associate to Watch)

"Dealing with Irwin Mitchell has been a pleasure and they made the process very easy. Emma Bell has been an excellent communicator and has kept us informed of every aspect of the claim. She made the process easy for us to understand. The team at Irwin Mitchell have been with us all the way. I would highly recommend this company to undertake any legal work." 5* Google Review

"Ian Toft, Helen Jones and Emma Bell combine a wealth of experience with enthusiasm and efficiency in pursuing claims for asbestos induced diseases. Their clients, who mostly have life threatening diseases, are handled sympathetically and are generally very satisfied with the service they receive." Legal 500, 2023/24 (identified as a "Key Lawyer")

"Hardworking and tenacious." - Legal 500, 2018/19

"The professionalism has been first rate, but to combine that with empathy, kindness and a genuine need to help and guide us through this very difficult time has been tremendous. A big shout out to Emma and Stephanie who took us through the claim process and held our hands throughout. True professionals with big hearts." - Client Review, 2025

"She was extremely professional and compassionate in all of her dealings with him. All correspondence was handled efficiently and promptly and he was informed about any progress at each stage. Unfortunately Bob passed away before the claim had been finalised and at this stage Emma and her colleague Helen Jones helped me to bring his claim to a conclusion. I cannot thank Emma and Helen enough for their kindness at such a difficult time." - 5* Trustpilot review

"In July 2018 I was diagnosed with mesothelioma and was told it was terminal and that there is no cure, my family and I were devastated. I sought a second opinion from an oncologist in London but the diagnosis was confirmed. Both of the oncologists emphasised to me the importance of getting legal advice as the NHS funds to treat this condition were limited but funding for private treatment from my former employers would necessitate legal action.

In August 2018 I approached Emma of Irwin Mitchell solicitors who regularly attends a Mesothelioma support group I now attend for advice. An appointment was made and arrangements were made for us to meet at my home where she took us through the procedures.

Ten months later my claim is settled, I have received a monetary award and more importantly, funding for private treatment including any treatments that may become available in the future. It is only through Emma’s diligence that a satisfactory outcome was achieved. Emma has been professional throughout and shown empathy to my wife and I. Emma has always kept us informed of progress in my case and dealt with other professionals on my behalf. I would not hesitate to recommend Emma to anyone, she was a pleasure to deal with." - Brian, client

"Since I was diagnosed with cancer and found out I could have a claim against some of the employers I worked for, I engaged the help of Irwin Mitchell and on my behalf they took up my case. I liaised with a lovely person called Emma Bell who has helped me enormously. She and the company has helped me and kept me informed in every step of my claim and offered me advise in every turn of events. I have nothing but praise for the hard work Emma and her associates have put in on my behalf. my claim has since been concluded successfully and I would recommend Irwin Mitchell to anyone thinking of hiring a good solicitor." - Joseph, client

"I had total confidence in Emma and her team, and cannot praise them highly enough." - Brian Carnegie, client

"My solicitor Emma Bell in charge of my case was very efficient and a true professional and her communication throughout was second to none.” - Jackie, client

"Excellent service - Emma Bell showed both respect and empathy whilst representing our family and provided an efficient, friendly and clear service at all times. Would not hesitate to recommend Emma and Irwin Mitchell to anyone." - Donna, client

"I found Emma Bell, Solicitor for Irwin Mitchell, to be extremely professional when dealing with my father’s asbestos claim. A difficult subject was handled with both sensitivity and efficiency. As a client, I found Irwin Mitchell’s vast experience in this area of law and the manner in which they handled our case to be invaluable. This greatly reduced the stress relating to what is a very difficult matter for anyone to have to deal with. I would without hesitation recommend them to anyone in similar circumstances." - Anthony, client

"I selected Irwin Mitchell to represent me in a compensation claim as I had developed pleural thickening as a result of being exposed to asbestos, during the course of my work. I contacted Irwin Mitchell simply because they one of the better known companies in the North East and I got lucky twice in picking the company and being assigned a super efficient solicitor. I write this tribute to the company with a special word of thanks to Emma Bell who was assigned my case and who guided me through the whole procedure from beginning to end. My case was successfully completed between May 2018 when I contacted the company and April 2019 when I received a final payment in a very successful case. I have no qualms whatsoever in recommending this Company." - Norman, client

"My family and I are very grateful for the exceptional legal support we received. It was a traumatic experience and Emma and Stephanie showed empathy and sensitivity throughout our claim. Which was also dealt with in a timely manner, couldn’t thank them enough. Definitely will recommend them to family and friends." - 5* Trustpilot review

"After being diagnosed with mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos many years ago, I contacted the Irwin Mitchell office in Newcastle. In a professional and very understanding way, Emma Bell guided me through how we could proceed with a claim. Emma and her team of Stephanie Wilson and Emma Ternent kept me informed all the way throughout the process that resulted in a substantial award. I am so grateful to Emma, Stephanie and Emma for their help and advice and would not hesitate to recommend their services and that of Irwin Mitchell to anyone in need of legal representation." - 5* Trustpilot review

"My sole contact with Irwin Mitchell has been Emma Bell and, from the outset, Emma has been extremely assiduous in keeping me informed of every step in the process, explaining all the minutiae of details and in such a way that I have always known what was going on. In addition she has been unfailingly pleasant, polite and respectful, prompt in her replies to my queries and, moreover, successful. I have no hesitation in recommending Irwin Mitchell in general and Emma Bell in particular." - 5* Trustpilot review

Publications

• West Cumbria man’s family appeal for help after his asbestos-related death
• APIL PI Focus Magazine (September 2018 issue) -  I wrote an article about a successful case that I had pursued for a mesothelioma client in which I obtained a lump sum payment plus an agreement for the Defendant to fund private treatment (not available on the NHS). I believe this was one of the first cases of its kind and I have since gone on to settle many other cases on a similar basis.
• Celebrating National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Day in 2023