The following chart shows how contempt, privilege, defamation and sub judice interact during the reporting of legal proceedings.
They show two common scenarios. In the first, a crime is committed then - after an investigation - a man is charged and undergoes a trial. In the second, a man is arrested at the scene of the crime and goes through the court process.
From the colour-coded steps in the process, see how the different aspects of laws governing reporting change as the case proceeds.
The VGSO is often asked to advise on when it is permissible and appropriate for government to publish information relating to legal proceedings and the content of such publications.