Director of Public Prosecutions

Keir Starmer QC

During his 20-year career, Keir has earned a reputation as one of the country's most gifted lawyers, and an expert in the field of human rights. Appointed Queen's Counsel in 2002, he was named Human Rights Lawyer of the Year in 2001 and QC of the Year in Human Rights and Public Law in 2007. He is the author of several leading legal textbooks and is a Visiting Fellow at Essex University. From 2003-2008, he was the Human Rights Advisor to the Policing Board in Northern Ireland, publishing several reports. He was Joint Head of Doughty Street Chambers before taking up the role of Director of Public Prosecutions in November 2008.

As DPP, Keir is responsible for prosecutions, legal issues and criminal justice policy.