Sir William Thomas Charley, KC (5 March 1833 – 8 July 1904) was a British judge and Conservative Party politician.

[1] He was educated at Elstree House School, Lee, Kent and St John's College, Oxford from where he matriculated in 1856.

The appointment caused controversy, as it was felt to be purely political, and that there was a large number of better-qualified lawyers who should have been considered.

[1] In spite of criticism of Charley's performance of his duties, he remained as Common Serjeant until 1892, and was knighted and made a Queen's Counsel in 1880.

[1][2] Charley was an enthusiastic cyclist, and collapsed and died following a cycling trip in East Grinstead, Sussex, aged 71.