By now, you have probably heard the awful, tragic news of the unexpected death of Simon (‘Spike”) Mullings on Sunday last, while on holiday in Scotland.
There have been heartfelt tributes from Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre, where he worked, Legal Action Group, the Law Centres Network and the Housing Law Practitioners Association, of which he was co-chair for 4 years until stepping down earlier this year, in the Law Gazette, and others.
All of them praised the astonishing work he did – publicly and behind the scenes – on possession cases during the pandemic, on housing legal aid, on the Housing Loss Assistance Prevention Service, on the Renters (Reform) Bill, and on fixed recoverable costs. They praise his determination, his boundless energy, his kindness, and his absolute commitment to social justice and access to justice. They talk of his work to help and develop newcomers to the field, his writing of the Possession Duty Scheme textbook and contribution to Defending Possession Proceedings. And of his own brilliant practice as a housing lawyer, helping so many people.
And all of that is absolutely true.
But I wanted to say a little something a little more personal about the Spike I enjoyed and admired. I can’t and don’t claim to be a close friend, or a longstanding one (though I did see him live in his then band The Snapdragons in the late 1980s, I can’t pretend that either of us had an inkling then that our paths would later cross in the way they did.) But I worked closely with him on a variety of housing law related things and on HLPA bits over the last few years and I would say he was a friend (and on occasion a client of mine for pro bono work for HLPA. Not often is the solicitor/client relation so enjoyable). Spike had that effect on people, he gathered them. He had many friends.
Spike was that rarest of things, a garrulous performer who genuinely cared for those he was with. He could talk, my heavens could he talk (as he’d be the first to admit), but it was never at people, it was with people, drawing you in to whatever outrage, plot, anecdote or enterprise was the topic. He listened well (as a good possession duty scheme solicitor must), quick to the detail and direction, and alert to tone, and wove that into his responses. A conversation with Spike was always enriching and went to unexpected places, as much to his surprise and delight as anyone else’s.
He was one of those people who is unequivocally an improver of life, a force for good, a provider of energy, imagination, determination and laughter. Such people are to be treasured because they are so very few and far between. To spend time with Spike was to come away feeling that not only was a better world possible, but that you had a definite part in getting there.
These are tumultuous times for housing law. Tomorrow (Wednesday – probably today when you read this), the Grenfell Inquiry Report is released, with all the potential implications for tenants and leaseholders. Shortly, we can expect the Renters’ Rights Bill. There will be arguments to be had and campaigning to do aplenty. Spike would have loved it. We should hear his voice through it all, cajoling, exhorting, mocking and full of laughter even in frustration. He will be very badly missed.
My thoughts are for those closest to him, his wife, family, friends and colleagues.
A lovely tribute, Giles. Thanks for expressing so well what so many of us are feeling.
All of this is so true. Spike was a legend in our field – and the best of legends – sharp intellect, kind, nurturing and passionate about our work. It is such tragic news at his death. We are all much poorer for his absence. And it’s also true – we carry on our work with his hand on our shoulders.
This is dreadful news. Spike was always unflinching in his support for tenants.
Thank you for sharing with us your personal memories and thoughts.
so, so sorry to hear this. we needed more than one of him. bless him.
Spike’s soft words of wisdom truly helped me when I hit that point that many who work in this area experience in their early years – when it can feel a little pointless, like you out holding out spread palms into a torrent of water and you don’t seem to be stemming the flow at all. He helped me see that the contributions one makes are meaningful to the individuals we support, and that with the perspective of time, we can spot cycles where things get better and get worse. He took the time to listen, validate, and gently share his own perspective – it was truly an impactful intervention at an important time. A wonderful person.
Well said Giles. I feel exasperated at his death, with the coming legal changes he would have had so much to do and as you say he would have loved it. He was also just as much a musical instrument geek, any conversation I had with him, whether it was a 9pm phone call about a case of mutual interest or an evening in a pub, would always begin with us discussing housing law and end up turning to the merits of flat wound strings v. Roundwood or Fender v. Gibson. For a man so deeply experienced he was also self deprecating. I asked him once how he found writing the excellent ‘Housing possession duty desk” with Sue James and he said “It was 9 months of living with imposter syndrome” – this from a man who had successfully defended literally thousands of possession claims down the years. There are god knows how many people out there who are able to breathe more easily because Spike turned up for work.
From the fore-going comments, it seems that it is up to you Solicitors and Barristers to take up his mantle and fill his shoes. Were it that my life had been different I would like to have had the opportunities you have had and can have to continue his good works. I hope that he continues to inspire you, all, and future Solicitors and Barristers.
As a little hint, you’ll notice that all the comments, and the post, are from people who knew Spike and are grieving his loss. There are times when your comments might be apposite, and there are other times when they are tactless and out of place…