The Honourable B. Richard Bell

Born in Woodstock, New Brunswick. Educated at the University of New Brunswick, where he was awarded the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Scholarship, the Captain Robert McBride Memorial Scholarship, the Carleton Soldiers' Memorial Chapter of the I.O.D.E. Bursary and a University Entrance Scholarship. Joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1973 and served as constable at various locations throughout Nova Scotia. Graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Laws in 1979 and a Master of Laws in 1998. Called to the Bar of New Brunswick in 1979. Practiced as the senior partner in the Fredericton office of the Atlantic law firm McInnes Cooper. Awarded the Queen's Counsel designation in 2004. Author, arbitrator, and adjunct Professor of Business Law at Crandall University. Course leader and lecturer at the Bar Admission Course. Served as Counsel to the Christie Inquiry into labour relations at the Irving Oil refinery. Appeared as counsel for a former commanding officer of the RCMP at the Arar Inquiry. Served terms as President of the Canadian Bar Association (New Brunswick Branch), President of the Fredericton North Rotary Club, Director of the Canadian Bar Association (National), Chairperson of the Bench/Bar Liaison Committee for the New Brunswick Court of Appeal, Vice-Chair of the New Brunswick Judicial Council. Served on various committees of the Law Society of New Brunswick and the Administration of Justice Committee of the Canadian Judicial Council. Appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division in Moncton, New Brunswick on June 27, 2006. Appointed to the New Brunswick Court of Appeal on June 22, 2007. Appointed a Judge of the Federal Court, a Judge of the Court Martial Appeal and Chief Justice of the Court Martial Appeal Court on February 6, 2015.