Advocate Nicolette A Bell is the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions (DNDPP) for the National Prosecutions Service of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), bringing nearly three decades of prosecutorial and leadership experience within South Africa’s criminal justice system. Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court in 1996, Adv Bell has built a distinguished career marked by expertise in high court litigation, complex criminal prosecutions, and strategic management within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Prior to the current appointment, Adv Bell served as the Director of Public Prosecutions for the Western Cape Division since April 2022, Adv Bell provided strategic leadership and oversight of all prosecutions in the Western Cape.

She was appointment as Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (2020–2022) and held several senior leadership positions within the NPA, including Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in Cape Town. In these roles, Adv Bell was instrumental in high court case flow management, training and mentoring prosecutors, and strengthening institutional performance and efficiency.

Adv Bell’s extensive litigation experience includes prosecuting high-profile matters and appearing in appeal proceedings in the Supreme Court of Appeal. Notably, Adv Bell successfully prosecuted complex and widely reported criminal cases and contributed to important legal precedents.

Adv Bell holds a Master of Laws (LLM) specialising in Commercial and Labour Law from the University of South Africa, along with LLB and BA Law degrees from the University of the Western Cape. A committed leader, Adv Bell has also completed executive development programmes, including the Senior Management Service (SMS) Pre-entry Programme, and continues to contribute to professional development within the justice sector.

Through a career defined by excellence, integrity, and leadership, Adv Bell continues to play a critical role in advancing effective prosecution and strengthening the rule of law in South Africa.