SLN Spotlight: Shami Chakrabarti

This week’s SLN Spotlight falls on Shami Chakrabarti (pictured), who has been director of Liberty since 2003. She was called to the English bar in 1994 and was a lawyer in the Home Office between 1996 and 2001. She will be discussing themes from her book On Liberty at a CPD-accredited Scottish Legal Training event in Edinburgh on August 19. Visit the event page to book a place.

What has been your best experience as a lawyer?

There are almost too many to choose from since I became Director of Liberty. I can’t imagine a bigger privilege than to do my job. We’ve had our victories and our losses – and it can be frustrating – but we keep going. And there are some fundamental struggles ahead – above all, the battle to save our Human Rights Act. As our founder E.M. Forster said, ours is the fight that’s never done.

If I had to pick one experience, it would probably be watching politicians abandon plans to detain people without charge for 42 days. My fantastic Liberty colleagues, our members and many others fought so hard for that one.

What has been your worst experience as a lawyer?

I started work at Liberty on 10 September 2001. Of course the next day brought the tragic events in New York. Sadly there have been many low points since then as the “war on terror” has rolled on – kneejerk and counterproductive policy making, the government still refusing to hold a judge-led inquiry into UK complicity in rendition and torture, the state’s seemingly insatiable appetite for access to our data and the ongoing scare-mongering telling us we must choose between our liberty and our security.

Why did you choose the law?

The seed was planted in the way it probably was for lots of lawyers – I read To Kill a Mockingbird, was introduced to Atticus Finch and was hooked for life. I saw the law as a means of achieving real positive change.

I read for the bar and did pupillage, and was in private practice for a short time before I saw an opening at the Home Office – I was fascinated with constitutional law, judicial review and the relationship between the state and people. After six years, I made the move to Liberty – an organisation I’d always admired in terms of values and litigation, but that I thought had more potential in terms of campaigning and advocacy outside the courtroom.

Who or what has been the greatest professional influence in your life?

I’ve been lucky to benefit from the kindness, encouragement and wisdom of some extraordinary mentors throughout my career. When I worked for the Home Office, my boss was Juliet Wheldon QC, the first woman Home Office legal adviser and then first woman Treasury Solicitor – an exceptional lawyer and a real inspiration. When I moved to Liberty I met the wonderful, fearless Helena Kennedy QC who had been a heroine since childhood.

Outside work, my family has been my biggest influence. My journey to human rights campaigning began with a discussion about the Yorkshire Ripper when I was watching news with my parents. I commented to my dad that they should “string him up”. He explained why I couldn’t support the death penalty – he asked me how I would feel to be the one wrongfully accused. That was a turning point for me.

What advice would you give to anyone considering a career in the law?

Law isn’t easy – but if you care about democracy and the rule of law, it can’t be beaten. So my first advice would be make sure it’s the thing you’re truly passionate about. That goes especially for anyone wanting to work in my area, which is public-facing and high-profile. There will be people telling you (sometimes not in the nicest terms) that they don’t agree with you – but, if you really believe in what you’re doing, it’s water off a duck’s back.

What would you want to be if you were not a lawyer?

A screenwriter. I’m a massive film fan and always wanted to be one as a teenager. Nothing too pretentious – maybe just a few Hollywood blockbusters!

How do you relax after work?

I don’t get much time to relax, but when I do it’s in the same way most people do: eating with friends, listening to music, reading and going to the cinema.

What is your favourite holiday destination and why?

It’s hard to beat Scotland for a holiday that combines cultural and political stimulation with stunning views, space and rest. ‎I’m looking forward to coming to the Edinburgh International Book Festival this summer and combining work with some recreational travel around Scotland.