Shami Chakrabarti to join 39 Essex Chambers as door tenant

Shami Chakrabarti is to re-join 39 Essex Chambers as a door tenant with immediate effect, after standing down as director human rights group Liberty.

Chakrabarti completed her pupillage at the set earlier in her career, after which she became a lawyer at the Home Office. She then joined Liberty in 2001 and became its director two years later.

Last week Liberty announced that Martha Spurrier, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, would be Chakrabarti’s successor.

David Barnes, Chief Executive and Director of Clerking at 39 Essex Chambers, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Shami is to re-join us. She is one of the leading voices on human rights and civil liberties and has gained immeasurable experience during her time at firstly the Home Office and consequently as Director of Liberty.

“This is an area of law in which we have a long-established practice and she will be an invaluable addition to the group. Having started her career here, it is fitting that Shami has decided to return to Chambers”.

Alison Foster QC, Joint Head of Chambers at 39 Essex Chambers, added: “I am really pleased that Shami has decided to return to the fold at 39 Essex Chambers. She is a leading thinker on the human rights scene and we are very excited that she continues her distinguished career with us.”

Chakrabarti said: “It is a pleasure and privilege to return to where I learned my law and began my career. Lawyers face unfair attacks but a chambers that produces advocates on both sides of vital disputes and so many senior judges well represents the rule of law.”