List of East Enders Characters (2005) - Ritchie Scott

Richmal "Ritchie" Scott is Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden) lawyer, taking the place of Marcus Christie (Stephen Churchett), who helped Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) to con the Mitchell family out of their businesses. Ritchie is first seen when she visits Phil's mother Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and gives her information and advice about Phil's upcoming trial for armed robbery. In November 2005, Ritchie gives Phil advice about his sister Sam's (Kim Medcalf) arrest for the murder of Den Watts, and in April 2006 advises him on his custody battle for his son, Ben (Charlie Jones), with Ben's older half brother Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), following their mother Kathy's (Gillian Taylforth) death. In 2006 she works alongside Stella Crawford (Sophie Thompson), who meets with Phil when Ritchie isn't available.

Phil re-hires Ritchie in January 2007 to represent Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) when she is arrested for the murder of her ex-mother-in-law, Pauline (Wendy Richard). Ritchie appears again in January 2008 when Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) has recorded evidence that Phil supplied Kevin Wicks (Phil Daniels) with stolen cut-and-shut cars that led to Kevin's death.

In September 2009, upon the return of Sam (now Danniella Westbrook), she advises the Mitchells that Sam faces five and a half years in prison for perverting the course of justice, failure to surrender and travelling on a false passport. In June 2010 she visits Phil to talk about Ben's upcoming court case for assaulting Jordan Johnson (Michael-Joel David Stuart) and suggests that Jordan could change his story to say Ben was provoked. When Ben is due to attend Crown Court, Ritchie tells Phil that, based on a recent, similar case, Ben could get six weeks' custody. However, Phil is angry with Ritchie when Ben is sentenced to 10 months.

In December 2011, Phil re-hires Ritchie when he is arrested for the murder of Kevin Wicks after Denise Fox (Diane Parish) hands in a copy of Jack's recording. She returns soon after to warn Phil to flee the country as the police are coming to arrest him. Although she does not know why, it is for the murder of Stella Crawford. In March 2012, Phil's partner Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) confronts Ritchie because Phil is going to plead guilty to the manslaughter of Stella. Ritchie informs Shirley that Phil was attacked in prison. After Ian Beale reveals to police that Ben lied about Stella's murder, Ritchie informs Shirley of Phil's release from prison.

In April 2012, she appears with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) when he is arrested on suspicion of the murder of Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) after he is found in possession of a large amount of money, which the police suspect he stole from her before she died, though this is not true. Ritchie convinces Phil to tell the police that he loaned the money to Billy and he is later released on bail. In August 2012, Phil's son Ben (now Joshua Pascoe) confesses to Heather's murder. Ben refuses to let Ritchie represent him, which angers Phil. She is present when Phil's family are interviewed, and later informs Phil that Ben could face a minimum of 10 years in prison.