A barrister, writer, broadcaster and peer — Helena Kennedy, 57, is one of the best-known of her profession both within the law and beyond it. Bold and fearless, the Labour peer has never hesitated to criticise her party’s line on law and order legislation — becoming a fierce and independent thorn in its side — whether over the legal advice on the war in Iraq or plans to remove judicial review in asylum cases. Born and brought up in Glasgow in a family of staunch Labour activists and committed Catholics, she became head girl of her school, Holyrood RC Secondary School. Although uncomfortable with Catholic orthodoxy, she says that Catholicism “remains very much part of who I am”. Once called the “nation’s favourite Portia” she speaks with wit and passion — defending civil liberties and promoting human rights, from the rights of women and children to medical negligence. She is married to a surgeon, Iain Hutchinson, and they have two children. She has another son from her previous partnership with the actor Iain Mitchell. Her numerous awards include being made a bencher of Gray’s Inn in 2000 and 19 honorary doctorates. Public positions held include Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University; chairman of the British Council and of the Human Genetics Commission. Her books include: Eve was Framed: Women and British Justice; and Just Law: the changing face of justice and why it matters to us.

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