Born to Indian immigrant parents in west London, Shami Chakrabarti attended state schools before gaining a place at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ to study for an LLB. She graduated with a 2:1 in 1994, was called to the Bar in 1994 and subsequently worked as a lawyer in the Home Office until joining Liberty - the National Council for Civil Liberties - in 2001 as In-House Counsel. She was Director of Liberty from 2003 and 2016, and is currently Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales.
Shami has said: “Like many students who come here, I had a strong sense of ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ as a place where history is made, where academics scrutinise issues that matter. What was extraordinary about studying an LLB at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ was the context it gave me. When I studied family law, for example, I was encouraged to discuss domestic relations, to evaluate the constructs commonly used - everything was up for grabs. I viewed this as a course in law as a social science - and loved it. I learnt to see the law as a means of delivering change for people. I think the fact that ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ is such an international place also encouraged that perspective. My friends at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ came from across the world, from very different backgrounds and legal traditions. This outward-looking place reinforced my belief that the status quo can be challenged.”