This week’s news in brief.

Bereavement ruling

Family practitioners have welcomed the Supreme Court’s declaration, in Siobhan McLaughlin for Judicial Review (Northern Ireland), that denying bereavement payments to the unmarried partner of the deceased is incompatible with human rights law.

Dubai booms

The Dubai International Financial Centre Courts reported a 64% increase in caseload in the first half of 2018, dealing with 368 cases across all divisions.

Myanmar ‘genocide’

A UN report on Myanmar concluded that ‘serious crimes under international law have been committed that warrant criminal investigation and prosecution’. The report recommended prosecution at the International Criminal Court. 

Junior counsel panel

The attorney general is seeking to appoint new members to one of his panels of junior counsel (the London C panel) to undertake civil and EU work for government departments. The competition opens on 25 September. 

£10m West Country tieup

Wollen Michelmore is merging with Barnstaple-based Toller Beattie to create a £10m firm with offices across the West Country.

Fieldfisher’s £3m partner

The top grossing partner at City firm Fieldfisher earned more than £3m in the last financial year. The firm said the top of its lockstep model – under which partners are remunerated according to their seniority and length of service – was paid £3.2m in the year ended 30 April, while the lowest member on the lockstep received £250,000.