Helena is a barrister and an expert in human rights law, civil liberties and constitutional issues. She is a member of the House of Lords, chair of Arts and Business, produced the Power Report (2006) and was a founding member of Charter 88 and previously chair of the British Council. She is a board member of the Media Standards Trust, a trustee of the British Museum and the Booker Prize Foundation, and patron of many charities. Her book, Just Law, was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize 2005.