City firm Mishcon de Reya has recruited the former director of public prosecutions Sir Keir Starmer QC as a part-time consultant in its business crime group.

Starmer, who left the Crown Prosecution Service last November at the end of his five-year term, will join his former colleague Alison Levitt QC, the principal legal adviser to the DPP, who joined Mishcon in March to head the business crime group.

The group advises clients with a range of problems, involving prosecuting authorities in this country and overseas authorities who seek to prosecute parties based in this jurisdiction.

Its work includes advice on defence strategies, applications for judicial review, investigations and bringing private prosecutions, where appropriate.

Starmer will work at the firm for two and a half days a week, focusing on cases which cover fraud here or those facing accusations across multiple jurisdictions.

A dual qualified barrister and solicitor, he will maintain his practice at London’s Doughty Street. He will also continue his political work, including heading the Labour Party's victim treatment review.

Partner and head of dispute resolution Kas Nouroozi said: ‘Keir’s expertise means we are able to offer our clients even greater depth when dealing with the increasingly complex world of civil, criminal and regulatory matters.

‘Moreover, Keir’s past involvement in developing guidance in relation to key government legislation, means that he is ideally placed to advise clients on how to meet the ever more stringent expectations of the regulators.’

Starmer said: ‘This is an exciting opportunity to be part of something genuinely new and different for our industry and it is a great pleasure to be working once again with Alison.’