The former director of public prosecutions (DPP) for England and Wales, Sir Keir Starmer QC is to join Mishcon de Reya as a part-time consultant in the firm's disputes practice.

Starmer (pictured) joins the firm's business crime group, founded and headed by his former colleague Alison Levitt, who joined Mishcon in March after serving as principal legal adviser to the DPP.

Within the group Starmer will work primarily on cases across multiple jurisdictions and those involving domestic fraud.

The group was established to advise on defence strategies, applications for judicial review, investigations and bringing private prosecutions, where appropriate.

"I am thrilled to be working with Keir again," said Levitt. "His formidable skills as a lawyer will be a great asset to the business crime group."

Starmer has dual qualification as a solciticor and barrister, and will continue his practise at Doughty Street Chambers. He has a broad range of expertise including human rights, international law, judicial review and criminal law.

"Mishcon de Reya leads the field in this area," added Starmer. "Its dispute resolution practice has an innovative blend of skills, and is held in high regard in the legal community at large. 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."

Levitt held a central role in the phone hacking prosecutions, advising  Starmer in his DPP role on which individuals should be brought to court.

Starmer stood down as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) last October, after announcing in April 2013 that he would not be extending his five year term in the role.

He received a knighthood in the 2014 new year's honours list for services to law and criminal justice.