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Julian Webb

Julian Webb

@julianinoz.bsky.social

750 followers 580 following 350 posts

Law prof at UniMelb; lawyers/legal ethics, digital tech/reg, civil justice, empirical research. HREC Chair, Grampians Health. Recovering legal education geek.Trainee lavender grower, 💙art and books. Dja Dja Wurrung country #firstgen .. more

Law 57%

Political science 28%

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Julian Webb @julianinoz.bsky.social · Jan 30

"Informative, inspiring and ambitious, Leading Works is a landmark work in legal ethics... The wide-ranging and thought-provoking territory that the book covers make it an invaluable resource..."

- Amy Salyzyn, JOTWELL (Jan. 29, 2025) (reviewing Webb (ed), Leading Works in Legal Ethics, Routledge).

Three copies of a book, 'Leading Works in Legal Ethics' fanned out on a wooden table

Reposted by Julian Webb

marque lawyers @marquelawyers.com.au · 14h

NSW Police Minister saying to the people please don't antagonise the cops by, you know, exercising your basic human rights

Julian Webb @julianinoz.bsky.social · 3d

5/5 It emphasises guidance and governance. It calls for principles-based guidelines for use by judges, and court staff, so going beyond the focus on user guidelines - which also need amending. A courts-specific AI assurance framework should be developed to inform adoption (etc) decisions.

Julian Webb @julianinoz.bsky.social · 3d

4/5 It also rejects the case for immediate legislative reform - uncertainty about the Federal approach to AI regulation is a factor, but it also finds no pressing legislative gaps. It does call for a watching brief over the Evidence Act, given growing AI threats to accuracy and reliability.

Julian Webb @julianinoz.bsky.social · 3d

3/5 The report comes out strongly against adjudicative AI decision making. Threats to judicial independence and public confidence are too great at present.

Julian Webb @julianinoz.bsky.social · 3d

2/5 The report overall does a good job, in my view, making 30 sensible recommendations, focused chiefly on AI adoption, use and governance across state courts and tribunals. Education and training in AI literacy is also a big part of the picture - garnering 7/30 recommendations. Some highlights...

Julian Webb @julianinoz.bsky.social · 3d

A bit later than promised, but a thread on the Vic Law Reform Commission's AI in Courts Report: www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/publication/...

Artificial Intelligence in Victoria’s Courts and Tribunals: Report - Victorian Law Reform Commission

www.lawreform.vic.gov.au

Reposted by Iain Davidson, Julian Webb, Karen O’Leary

The Cathy Wilcox @cathywilcox.bsky.social · 4d

Here we are.
My @smh @theage cartoon.

Two frames. 1. Customs and Border Protection agent with suitcase open holding two pieces of paper, says to man opposite, “President Herzog, we note there’s a photo of you here signing a bomb meant for Gazans, as well as a UN accusation of incitement to genocide…” 2. Same scene but agent is handing closed suitcase to the man saying “Welcome to Australia and enjoy your stay.”

Julian Webb @julianinoz.bsky.social · 5d

Victorian Law Reform Commission Report on AI in Courts is published. I'll try and read and summarise here tomorrow. www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/publication/...

Artificial Intelligence in Victoria’s Courts and Tribunals: Report - Victorian Law Reform Commission

www.lawreform.vic.gov.au

Reposted by Julian Webb

Lucinda Soon @lucindasoon.com · 6d

So Bluesky friends, some Bluesky thinking…. This is my first academic co-convenor role and we’ve just launched our call for papers for the annual conference in September. Lots of subject sections. Practice, Profession and Ethics is our one and it would be wonderful to be inundated with submissions.

Call for Papers | SLS Conference 2026 | University of East Anglia

The 117th annual conference of the Society of Legal Scholars conference will take place at the University of East Anglia in September 2026.

www.slsconference.com

Reposted by Julian Webb

UCL Centre for Ethics & Law @uclcel.bsky.social · 6d

We are delighted to share @stephenmayson.bsky.social 's latest paper 'Lawyers and 'acting in the best interests of clients,'' which explores (amongst other timely issues) the tension between this duty & the public interest tinyurl.com/4sbbrkwc
@laws.ucl.ac.uk
#LegalEthics
#ProfessionalEthics

Reposted by Julian Webb

The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 6d

“As it stands, this Government has chosen to drag the public into yet another unlawful welfare scandal, because it is unwilling to challenge private business, and Robodebt-era systems and ideologies of punishment,” writes Jeremy Poxon.

Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/3LPJrrJ

Reposted by Julian Webb

Legal Futures @legalfutures.bsky.social · 8d

Tribunal: AI use adds to doubts over would-be lawyer’s integrity zurl.co/e899N

Tribunal: AI use adds to doubts over would-be lawyer's integrity

A legal practice course graduate seeking authorisation as an immigration adviser raised concerns about his integrity by citing fake cases.

Reposted by Julian Webb

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 9d

Mark Coeckelbergh, "Technofascism: AI, Big Tech, and the New Authoritarianism," AI & Society (2026)

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Technofascism: AI, Big Tech, and the new authoritarianism - AI & SOCIETY

The rapid development of digital technologies, including AI, is having a significant impact on the social, economic, and political life. Yet, while presented as milestones in innovation and progress, ...

link.springer.com

Reposted by Richard B. Aronson, John Horgan, Julian Webb , and 1 more Richard B. Aronson, John Horgan, Julian Webb, Gerald Friedman

Mark Hamill @markhamillofficial.bsky.social · 13d

Airlines will not show this to prevent walkouts.

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Brendan Nyhan, Steve Peers , and 5 more Ben H. Ansell, Brendan Nyhan, Steve Peers, Leigh Sparks, Julian Webb, Paul Goldsmith-Pinkham, Anne Norton, Pepper D. Culpepper

Hank Green @hankgreen.bsky.social · 16d

OpenAI exec James Dyett calling out the cowardice

There is far more outrage from tech leaders over a wealth tax than masked ICE agents terrorizing communities and executing civilians in the streets.

Tells you what you need to know about the values of our industry.

Reposted by Steve Peers, Julian Webb, Janet Murray , and 4 more Steve Peers, Julian Webb, Janet Murray, Frederik Dhondt, Olivier Mannoni, Nicolai von Ondarza, Mary James

Bruce Little @brucedlittle.bsky.social · 16d

Time to dump ChatGPT!

The latest model of ChatGPT has begun to cite Elon Musk’s Grokipedia as a source on a wide range of queries, including on Iranian conglomerates and Holocaust deniers, raising concerns about misinformation on the platform.

Latest ChatGPT model uses Elon Musk’s Grokipedia as source, tests reveal

Guardian found OpenAI’s platform cited Grokipedia on topics including Iran and Holocaust deniers

www.theguardian.com

Julian Webb @julianinoz.bsky.social · 17d

Excellent piece on the potential in Carney's speech to the WEF theconversation.com/carneys-rall...

Carney’s rallying cry to ‘middle powers’ includes Australia - and we should heed his call

The Canadian leader’s powerful speech has garnered headlines for his admission that the rules-based international order has been ruptured.

theconversation.com

Reposted by Julian Webb

Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 18d

The Australian Office of the Information Commissioner (OAIC) says that lack of disclosure around use of automated decision-making (ADM) systems across government agencies is putting trust in the technology and the public service at risk www.itnews.com.au/news/oaic-ca...

OAIC calls on federal agencies to be transparent on ADM use

To build trust.

www.itnews.com.au

Reposted by Julian Webb

New York City Bar Association @nycbarassociation.bsky.social · 20d

Professor Meg Satterthwaite serves as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. She monitors situations of lawyer persecution around the world. She and her human rights colleagues have a clear message: it’s happening here, and it’s happening now. #DayOfTheEndangeredLawyer

Reposted by Julian Webb

Nils Hoppe @hoppe.law · 20d

This was posted by @mambarlife.bsky.social in the Other Place and it’s too good not to share it.

A reader‘s letter in the times which reads as follows:

Old adversaries
Sir, Your obituary (Jan 19) of Mr Justice Blofeld rightly referred to his fine sense of humour. When he first sat in Winchester a barrister called Richard Bond stood up to open the first case. Mr Justice Blofeld began to stroke the white ermine on the sleeve of his High Court judge's robes as if stroking a cat. He then said with a smile: "We meet at last, Mr Bond."
Sir John Royce Clifton, Bristol

Julian Webb @julianinoz.bsky.social · 20d

The breach of the social contract here is profound. A govt that seeks to justify the murder of its citizens and not just suppress legitimate dissent, but provoke confrontation, is in no sense a government for its people.

Reposted by Julian Webb

Liz Hicks @lizhicks.bsky.social · 23d

Submission from Anne Twomey on the Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill now up - it’s a must read for journalists and policy makers

Quite the burn here too 🔥

www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

Reposted by Julian Webb

The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 27d

“Writers perform a crucial national service. For this service they are underpaid and undervalued. The Adelaide Writers’ Week Festival has just made them pay the price for a problem they didn’t create."

Read Leanne Minshull’s full piece on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...

Reposted by David H. Kaye, Jonathan H. Adler, Julian Webb , and 3 more David H. Kaye, Jonathan H. Adler, Julian Webb, Federico Ortino, Simon Lester, Stephen I. Vladeck

Reposted by Julian Webb

Digital Rights Watch @drwaus.bsky.social · 29d

The first reports of the harms of the social media ban is having on vulnerable kids are out. This is what happens when policy is designed without listening to experts, not tackling the problem of harmful algorithms and business practices and just banning people from accessing parts of the internet.

Reposted by Stephen M. Walt, Anna O. Law, Elizabeth Saunders , and 29 more Stephen M. Walt, Anna O. Law, Elizabeth Saunders, Axel Bruns, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan, Joshua S. Weitz, Steve Peers, David Rothschild, Julian Webb, Guy Grossman, Joseph Schafer, Brian Kelly, Edgar Morgenroth, Kevin Carey, Trevon D. Logan, Laurent Pech, Silvia Secchi, Ben Tonra, Brian Keegan, Jason Lyall, Mark Rice, Daniel Kuehn, Brenda Cossman, Stuart White, Prokla Redaktion, Meredith Farkas, Stephen A. Meserve, David S. Tanenhaus, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Farah Mendlesohn, David Darmofal

Charlie Thomas @cthomasjamh.bsky.social · 29d

This is the sort of statement that was expected from every university president and law firm partner over the last year. That those statements weren’t made played a huge part in where we are now and people will remember.

Joshua J. Friedman @joshuajfriedman.com · 29d

Jerome Powell: "This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation."

Reposted by Julian Webb

Brooke Harrington @ebharrington.bsky.social · Jan 10

This is what happens when a country 2x rejects the very idea of a woman POTUS & instead chooses not just any man, but a rapist who brags about his serial sexual assaults & his decades-long friendship with a pedophile.

Violent misogyny--largely unrecognized--is the glue binding the MAGA coalition.

Jessica Valenti @jessicavalenti.bsky.social · Jan 10

He shot her in the head, then called her a “fucking bitch.”

That isn’t self defense, it’s an angry execution.

Reposted by Julian Webb, Jonathan Hopkin, Brooke Harrington , and 1 more Julian Webb, Jonathan Hopkin, Brooke Harrington, Mary McAuliffe

Jessica Valenti @jessicavalenti.bsky.social · Jan 10

He shot her in the head, then called her a “fucking bitch.”

That isn’t self defense, it’s an angry execution.

Reposted by Julian Webb

Professor Euan Ritchie @euanritchie.bsky.social · Jan 10

A question for fearless journos out there to put to Australia's political leaders. Why do we have > $300 billion to attempt to buy submarines but not enough $ to pay more fire fighters & support staff & to buy more urgently needed firefighting equipment, so we have sufficient resources when needed?!

Reposted by Julian Webb

Professor Euan Ritchie @euanritchie.bsky.social · Jan 10

Let's see how many genuinely hard questions about the links between fossil fuel approvals/climate change/extreme weather events/fire are put to said politicians by the legacy- and mainstream-media...

The Fourth Estate must be accountable too.

Professor Euan Ritchie @euanritchie.bsky.social · Jan 9

Scores of fires, many that are huge, spanning the state of Victoria. Thank you to all the firefighters, you are heroes!

No thanks to politicians that continue to ignore scientists & our evidence-based & urgent warnings about climate change, placing the lives of humans & others species at risk.