Shami Chakrabarti

Shami Chakrabarti, 41, is an odd figure to create such fervour – a serious lawyer given to dark suits and darker eye-liner. But her fierce intelligence and passionate commitment to civil rights has earned her a devoted following. A barrister for the Home Office, she joined the campaigning human rights group Liberty the day before the 9/11 attacks, and was soon at the centre of the storm battling to protect civil liberties from being sacrificed in the name of national security. She led the way in demolishing the arguments for ID cards, 42-day detention, torture, and imprisoning foreign terror suspects without trial, and was equally outspoken on surveillance culture and asbos. One reader said "she's my hero" for her "tireless efforts campaigning on human rights and civil liberties". And our panellists agree, admiring her quick wit ("You cheer whenever she comes on television"), her transformation of the campaign group, and her support of other women in the legal profession, "She's transformed Liberty into a hub for dynamic women".