Timothy Straker KC

Joint Head of Chambers 2002-2015, Head of Chambers 2015 to present. Member of Governing Council of Malvern College. Justice of Appeal, Court of Appeal of the Falklands Deputy High Court Judge Election Commissioner Recorder

Timothy Straker KC has a wide ranging public law practice. He has made many appearances in courts at the highest level in England and Wales and overseas. Timothy has acted in multiple election petitions in England, Wales and Trinidad and Tobago, which operates under a similar regime. He has advised on elections and related matters in multiple jurisdictions including Scotland, Guyana and Asian jurisdictions. He recently led in the Supreme Court when that court (exceptionally) considered the boundary between party and personal expenses.

Timothy Straker KC has appeared in the vast majority of the most important election cases of the last twenty five years starting with successful appearances for the returning officer in the ‘Literal Democrat’ case, which directly led to the creation of the Electoral Commission for which he has acted. Principally he has acted for returning officers throughout the country and been closely involved in elections since 1995. He has acted for the Greater London Authority and Transport for London ever since those bodies were created. He sits as an election commissioner.

Tim also undertakes public and private inquiry work, including issues of abuse.  He has particular experience of chairing, public inquiries, railway arbitrations and electoral commission matters. He believes in close teamwork in major cases and a good working professional relationship with both professional and lay clients.

He has acted for (and against) local authorities on issues ranging from abattoirs to zoos, appeared in inquiries in Scotland and undertaken, drawing on his English experience, work relating to environmental assessment in Greece and the Caribbean. His local authority and public law work includes planning (multiple inquiries and judicial reviews, e.g. The Emirates, Anfield, retail, polytunnels and amalgamations and basements), infrastructure (e.g. Mersey Gateway, Felixstowe and Harwich) and procurement (often confidential).

Malvern College Downing College, Cambridge University