HCLC News

Congrats to North West London Law Centres solicitor, Marcin Brajta, who has won the first of a new commemorative award, recognising his legal achievements and his dedication to defending people’s housing rights.

He was presented on 22 November with the Nathaniel Mathews Award for excellence and innovation in housing work in Law Centres, sponsored by Hackney Community Law Centre.

Presenting an award certificate to Marcin, Ian Rathbone, chair of trustees at Hackney Community Law Centre, said:b“Nat Mathews always went the extra mile. He was never afraid to fight the authorities; he was creative and innovative in his approach. Our movement needs people like this. Marcin mirrors Nat’s definition of social justice warrior: tenacious, resilient and never prepared to accept defeat.”

Nat Mathews, himself an award-winning Law Centre housing solicitor hailed as being ‘of the highest calibre’, passed away aged 54 in 2022. The new award in his name seeks to uphold the values and excellence that he embodied.

Marcin's tenacity is demonstrated by his consistent pursuit of cases to the higher courts. One recent case, Zaman in the Court of Appeal, was a significant victory for homeless people. The Court’s decision confirmed the need for local authorities to search for temporary accommodation as close as possible to the borough.

The judgement significantly tempered local authorities’ ability to pressure homeless families in London to relocate to the Midlands or beyond, far away from family, friends and children’s school. His work is said to have had a profound and life-changing impact on his clients, setting precedents which progress the rights of homeless people.

The award was presented to Marcin on Friday, 22 November, at the annual general meeting of the national Law Centres Network