Team LALY & the entire legal aid family is mourning the loss of one of the very best of us. Simon won our 2020 Social Welfare Law award & was described as 'a legal aid warrior' & 'ebullient force of nature'. He will be hugely missed by all of us. Thoughts with his beloved family.

SIMON’S NOMINATION 17 April 2020

Sue James:

Simon has been a housing caseworker with Edwards Duthie Shamash for over 20 years. He has spearheaded partnerships with the not for profit sector and ensured that the court duty schemes are run by experienced, empathetic and practical advisors.2 / 3 (submitted: 17/04/2020)

He has acted in cases which have gone to the Court of Appeal and which have helped to shape housing law. Even more importantly than this, however, he has spent many years fighting tirelessly for the rights of vulnerable tenants and homeless people. Simon Mullings (Spike) has everything that you would want to find in a legal aid lawyer: compassion, resilience, a brilliant mind and a determination to achieve the very best for his clients. If that wasn’t enough, he also writes and campaigns on legal aid, housing rights and access to justice.

The LALY’s are the only awards that has the potential to recognise his dedication and commitment as a legal aid caseworker, having trained numerous solicitors, and made an enormous contribution to housing law and legal aid practice.

“Simon showed great passion and commitment in my case and even highlighted it on social media to help others in my situation…I’m very grateful for what Simon has done for me.” Tony Rice, one of Simon’s clients, became known in the media as ‘the real Daniel Blake’. He couldn’t work after being attacked and had to claim Universal Credit. He was sanctioned by the DWP and facing eviction when Simon took on his case.

Simon is a determined advocate for his clients, which has resulted in a number of leading cases in the Court of Appeal on homelessness, as described by Liz Davies, Head of Garden Court Chambers. The rest of the Garden Court Housing Team, once they heard of the nomination, also wanted to contribute, such is the strength of feeling.

Jon Robins spent the day with Simon at Stratford Hearing Centre, as part of a collaborative project between the Justice Gap and Cardiff University, on the impact of austerity on our justice system. Jon writes, “Simon is such a powerful advocate for legal aid because of his compassion and focus on the client.”

In 2019 Simon conceived and coordinated the production of a historic pamphlet celebrating 70 years of legal aid.

“His work on ‘Legal Aid Matters’ for the Justice Alliance was a critical piece of work that gained much attention with MPs and policy makers”, writes Esther Pilger of LAG, “The pamphlet brought together leading names in the legal aid work in the 70th anniversary of Legal Aid choosing their favourite/most important legal aid case...”

Simon writes about his experiences in a lucid, persuasive and hard-hitting way. Owen Bowcott, of the Guardian, says, “At a time of widespread homelessness, Simon provides a dedicated and passionate voice from the front line of the daily battle to prevent tenants and those in housing difficulty being removed from their homes.” Esther agrees: “His articles for Legal Action are hugely popular and important”.Simon also campaigns in a purposeful way: “When Bow County Court was under threat of closure in 2016/17, he was one of the first to try and save it from closure. His efforts helped to secure the Housing Centre for possession work at Stratford, which is a vital resource for the community in East London”, writes DDJ Volkes.

He is an active member of the campaign group, Justice Alliance, and works with community groups to effect change. Jane Williams, of the Magpie Project writes, “Not only does he work tirelessly for those facing housing difficulties in his day job, but he also supports charities such as the Magpie Project in his spare time”.

Jon Robins puts it simply: “Simon is a tireless and brilliantly effective campaigner on behalf of the legal aid sector.”

Simon is able to connect not only with his clients but also with everyone he meets. During the CV19 crisis he has been both an advocate and a support for the legal aid community. Making representations on the suspension of housing possession cases, legal aid amendments, as well as supporting the well-being of legal aid practitioners –3 / 3 (submitted: 17/04/2020)

with a song!

He was also one of the founding trustees of Ealing Law Centre, a trustee of Newham CAB, and has just taken up chair of HLPA, where already he is making change the organisation needs - to support its members, and in turn, advance the rights of tenants.

“I was first struck by the magnificence of his beard, quickly followed by an appreciation of the cut of his three-piece suit…then he made me laugh - a lot”, writes Esther. Humour is something that Simon has in abundance – it is infectious - but also has a purpose, as Esther describes perfectly, “Simon has a unique ability to argue and vent his frustration with the right amount of humour and humanity to land a powerful message”.

Tim Baldwin writes, “Simon is a true ‘Rock Star’ of the Housing World after once being a real Rock Star in a band called The Snapdragons…Simon often hides his many talents under many bushels with a self-effacing humour but he is truly deserving of recognition by this LALY award”. I have to agree.

I have known Spike as a friend for more than 25 years, I know I’m biased, but he is an exceptional person who brings his warmth, his generosity, his intellect and his humour into his legal aid work to support those most vulnerable. He’s also a lot of fun. I really can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more and I know how much it would mean to him.