Title: Swaying or straying? Australia’s influence on freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial in international law
Date: 2 December 2020
Speaker: Professor Philippa Webb

 

Abstract:
In recent studies of geopolitical influence, Australia has been labelled a ‘hemispheric power’, more influential than India and Russia. There is also a long held view that Australia is a ‘middle power’ than can ‘punch above our weight’. By focusing on Australia’s influence on two critical protections – freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial – I will examine whether Australia is shaping international law (swaying) or forging its own, potentially violative path (straying). I will distil some of the key debates in international law and identify Australia’s contribution to the law through its state practice and the jurisprudence of international human rights bodies.

 

Bio:
Philippa Webb is Professor of Public International Law at King’s College London. She joined academia after a decade in international legal practice. She served as the Special Assistant and Legal Officer to Judge Rosalyn Higgins during her Presidency of the International Court of Justice (2006-2009) and, prior to that, as the Judicial Clerk to Judges Higgins and Owada (2004-2005). She was the Associate Legal Adviser to the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (2005-2006). She holds a doctorate (JSD) and LLM from Yale Law School. She obtained the University Medals in both her LLB and BA (Asian Studies) from UNSW, Australia. She is also a barrister at Twenty Essex Chambers and appears in domestic and international courts, including the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

 

Philippa’s publications include Oppenheim’s International Law: United Nations (OUP 2017, with Dame Rosalyn Higgins GBE QC, Dapo Akande, Sandesh Sivamuaran and James Sloan), which was awarded the ASIL Certificate of Merit 2019; The Law of State Immunity (OUP 2015, with Lady Hazel Fox QC); International Judicial Integration and Fragmentation (OUP 2015) and The Right to a Fair Trial in International Law (OUP December 2020, with Amal Clooney)