Tributes have poured in for housing law 'legend' and 'social justice champion' Simon Mullings, a prominent and much-loved member of the legal aid community, who has died.
Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre, where Mullings led the housing team, announced today that their ‘beloved friend and colleague’ died unexpectedly last weekend while on holiday in Scotland.
The centre said: ‘Simon was a legend in the world of housing law; known for his boundless energy and kindness; and his unshakeable commitment to social justice.
‘We are reeling from this terrible news and will miss Simon dreadfully. We send our heartfelt sympathies to his family.’
The Law Centres Network said: ‘Simon embodied everything it meant to be a law centre lawyer. He was adored by his colleagues and his friends. His untimely death is a huge loss to us all.’
Legal Action Group, headed by housing solicitor Sue James, said: ‘[We] are sad beyond words to hear of the sudden death of our great friend and colleague Simon Mullings. His contribution to housing law is beyond measure; and his commitment, compassion and expertise changed countless clients’ lives for the better.
‘Spike (as he was almost universally known to friends and colleagues) was an inspiration and true champion of social justice. His loss will be widely felt and we send our deepest condolences to his family.’
Mullings was a former co-chair of the Housing Law Practitioners Association, which said: ‘The co-chairs of HLPA, Dianne, Laura and Tim, with the executive shares its deepest condolences with Simon’s family. It is a great loss to us all both personally and for the housing sector.’
Hackney Law Centre said: ‘We were delighted when Spike joined the [Law Centres Network] after a successful career in private practice and also grateful for his brilliant co-chairing of HLPA. We will miss him.’
Former Labour MP for Westminster North, Karen Buck, said: 'What dreadful news this has been. The Simon-shaped hole in the world was impossible to fill. He was a force of nature and an absolute champion of those in housing need. Deepest of condolences to his family, friends and work colleagues.'
Prior to joining Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre, Mullings worked at law firm Edwards Duthie Shamash, which he joined in 1998 as a housing caseworker.
Edwards Duthie Shamash said that during his 25 years with the firm, Mullings helped hundreds, if not thousands of clients in fighting homelessness. 'As an accomplished lawyer Simon brought a number of high-profile cases but he firmly believed that some of his best work was done under the legal help scheme providing much needed advice to the communities of East London. As a colleague Simon was kind, generous and fun. His commitment to social justice was unwavering and through the pursuit of this Simon became loved by fellow legal aid lawyers far and wide.'
Mullings won a legal aid lawyer of the year award in the social welfare category in 2020. Following his win, he said: ‘For many years I have attended the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards and been inspired and moved by the accounts of work done by outstanding lawyers in the legal aid sector. To be nominated, and then shortlisted and then, unbelievably, to win the award is humbling and gratifying in equal measure. Previous recipients are legal aid heroes of mine. I can only try [to] live up to their example and I hope that I can inspire a younger generation of legal aid lawyers to carry on the vital work that we do for some of the most vulnerable people in society.’
Mullings has featured several times in the Gazette, including Lawyer in the News, and shared his story from the frontline as part of our 'Lawyers in lockdown' series.
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