Birth of Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer is born in London and later grows up in Oxted, Surrey.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Keir Starmer Biography and Timeline
Follow Keir Starmer through 167 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Keir Starmer, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
167Distinct records
1 of 5Page
1962–2018Years on this page
1962
1981
University of Leeds
Starmer begins studying law at the University of Leeds.
1985
Bachelor of Laws Degree
Starmer graduates from the University of Leeds with a law degree.
1986
Bachelor of Civil Law Degree
Starmer completes postgraduate legal studies at the University of Oxford.
1987
Call to the Bar
Starmer qualifies as a barrister and begins a career in legal practice.
Human Rights Legal Practice
Starmer begins practising in criminal, public and human-rights law.
1990
Doughty Street Chambers
Starmer becomes a founding member of the newly established Doughty Street Chambers.
1991
Legal Aid and Civil Liberties Work
Starmer undertakes publicly funded cases involving civil liberties and access to justice.
2002
Appointment as Queen's Counsel
Starmer is appointed Queen's Counsel after his work in human-rights and public law.
2003
Northern Ireland Policing Board Appointment
Starmer becomes a human-rights adviser to the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
Role range: 2003-2008
2005
Death Penalty Project Appointment
Starmer becomes a director of the organisation challenging capital punishment internationally.
Role range: 2005-2020
2007
Head of Chambers
Starmer serves as joint head of Doughty Street Chambers before entering public prosecution.
Role range: 2007-2008
2008
Takes Office as Director of Public Prosecutions
Starmer begins serving as Director of Public Prosecutions and head of the CPS.
Role range: 2008-2013
Appointment as Director of Public Prosecutions
Starmer is appointed to lead the Crown Prosecution Service.
Role range: 2008-2013
2009
Interim Assisted Suicide Policy
Starmer publishes interim factors guiding prosecution decisions in assisted-suicide cases.
Role range: 2008-2013
Ethical Principles for Public Prosecutors
Starmer issues a statement defining fairness, independence and accountability for public prosecutors.
Role range: 2008-2013
2010
Final Assisted Suicide Policy
Starmer publishes final public-interest guidance for assisted-suicide prosecution decisions.
Role range: 2008-2013
2011
Response to England Riots
Starmer directs rapid and consistent prosecution arrangements following widespread public disorder.
Role range: 2008-2013
2012
Hillsborough Evidence Review
Starmer orders prosecutors to review newly disclosed Hillsborough evidence for possible offences.
Role range: 2008-2013
Interim Social Media Guidelines
Starmer publishes interim prosecution guidance covering communications made through social media.
Role range: 2008-2013
2013
Final Social Media Guidelines
Starmer issues final guidelines balancing free expression with prosecution of harmful communications.
Role range: 2008-2013
Departure from Crown Prosecution Service
Starmer completes his five-year term as Director of Public Prosecutions.
Role range: 2008-2013
2014
Knighthood for Criminal Justice Services
Starmer receives a knighthood for services to law and criminal justice.
Selection for Holborn and St Pancras
Labour selects Starmer to contest the Holborn and St Pancras constituency.
2015
Election to Parliament
Starmer is elected Labour Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras.
Role range: 2015-
Home Affairs Committee Appointment
Starmer joins the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee.
Role range: 2015-2015
Shadow Immigration Appointment
Starmer joins Labour's front bench as Shadow Minister for Immigration.
Role range: 2015-2016
2016
Resignation from Shadow Front Bench
Starmer resigns from the shadow front bench after the European Union referendum.
Role range: 2015-2016
Shadow Brexit Secretary Appointment
Starmer becomes Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.
Role range: 2016-2020
Government Brexit Plan Motion
Starmer moves a motion demanding publication of the Government's Brexit plan.
Role range: 2016-2020
European Union Referendum Campaign
Starmer campaigns for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union.
Role range: 2015-2016
2017
Supreme Court Article 50 Response
Starmer welcomes the ruling requiring parliamentary legislation before Article 50 is triggered.
Role range: 2016-2020
Article 50 Bill Second Reading
Starmer leads Labour's response during the Article 50 Bill second-reading debate.
Role range: 2016-2020
Article 50 Bill Commons Vote
Starmer supports the bill while pressing for parliamentary scrutiny and negotiating safeguards.
Role range: 2016-2020
Article 50 Debate
Leads Labour scrutiny of the Article 50 legislation.
Role range: 2016-2020
Labour Brexit Tests
Starmer sets tests for judging whether the Government secures an acceptable Brexit agreement.
Role range: 2016-2020
Re-election to Parliament
Starmer retains Holborn and St Pancras at the general election.
Role range: 2015-
Meaningful Vote Urgent Question
Starmer demands a binding parliamentary vote on the final withdrawal agreement.
Role range: 2016-2020
2018
Permanent Customs Union Policy
Starmer announces Labour support for a new permanent customs union with the European Union.
Role range: 2016-2020
Withdrawal Bill Parliamentary Safeguards
Starmer supports amendments strengthening Parliament's role if negotiations fail.
Role range: 2016-2020
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.