Doughty Street Chambers has developed a real name for itself in the public and human rights fields, and among its star silks is Keir Starmer QC.

The past year has seen Starmer appear before the highest courts in the UK, Europe and elsewhere to fight a range of actions, setting precedents across this field of law.

The year began with his European Court of Human Rights victory in the epic 'McLibel' case. Starmer secured appellants Helen Morris and David Steel thousands of euros in damages after the court found that a case brought against them by McDonald's was unfair and infringed their freedom of expression.

In June 2005, he acted pro bono in a class action in Uganda, which overturned the death penalty and saved the lives of 417 people - an issue for which Starmer has long fought.

With neither the quality nor the level of work abating, Starmer's star is continuing to rise.