Law Centre housing lawyer celebrated for "energy, empathy and resolve"

At the Law Centres Network AGM on Friday, 21st November, Lovell was presented with the Nathaniel Mathews Award for excellence or innovation in Law Centre housing work. The award is an initiative of Hackney Community Law Centre, and honours the memory of their much-revered late housing lawyer, who passed away in 2022. The Nathaniel Mathews Award was first launched in 2024 and seeks to uphold the values and excellence that Mathews embodied.

Rachel Lovell is described as “a highly skilled and technically brilliant solicitor, who combines extraordinary legal insight with boundless energy, empathy and resolve.” Lovell works for Lewisham Law Centre, a branch of Southwark Law Centre, in South East London. She is credited with navigating the Law Centre’s housing law service through a time of unprecedented resource pressure. Lovell’s legal casework is seen to transform individual lives, prevent escalations into crisis and safeguard public resources.

Charlie's story exemplifies Lovell’s impact:

Lovell’s contribution is of great value to the local community. Without Lovell’s intervention, Charlie would likely have been discharged into homelessness, with catastrophic consequences for his health. In resolving the legal problems of people like Charlie day in, day out, Lovell’s work goes a long way to supporting community stability.

Reflecting on receiving the award, Rachel Lovell said:

“I am honoured to win the Nathaniel Mathews award. It was a dream of mine to work for a Law Centre because of the example of people like Nat and it remains a joy and a privilege every day to do this job.”

Executive Director of Southwark Law Centre, Stacey Edgar, said:

“We're so proud of Rachel and this is such a well-deserved award. The nomination represents a snapshot of the incredible work that Rachel does every day and we're glad to see the network celebrate her.”

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