But what is this sub judice rule?

It simply means that a matter is before the court for

consideration and, hence, should not be discussed in other fora. Thus, per the Court, The
sub judice rule restricts comments and disclosures pertaining to the judicial proceedings in
order to avoid prejudging the issue, influencing the court, or obstructing the administration of
justice. The rule is aimed at, among others, shielding the court from outside influence, and
ensuring a fair trial – one based on facts, and not on public opinion.

I am not a party in the pending proceedings.

The sub judice rule regulates the publication of matters which are under consideration
by the court.
Matters are considered to be sub judice once legal proceedings become active.

Subject case which is a Civil proceeding become active, when the hearing date for the trial is arranged

Both statutory and common law contempt of court are concerned with the possibility that a juror,
witness or lay judge may be influenced by material which is published about active legal proceedings.
Accordingly, any of the following activities could be considered to be contempt:
 obtaining or publishing details of jury deliberations;

 filming or recording within court buildings;

 making payments to witnesses;

 publishing information obtained from confidential court documents;

 reporting on the defendant's previous convictions;

 mounting an organized campaign to influence proceedings;

 reporting on court proceedings in breach of a court order or reporting restriction;

 breaching an injunction obtained against another party;

 anticipating the course of a trial or predicting the outcome; or

 revealing the identity of child defendants, witnesses or victims or victims of sexual offences.

However, it is acceptable to publish material as part of a discussion of public affairs or as a

contemporary report of the day's legal proceedings.

IS THE SUB JUDICE RULE IMPOSED ON ALL FORMS OF SPEECH?

No. Only on publicized speech. The Constitution simply gives the citizens the right to speech, not the right to
unrestricted publicized speech.

WHAT IS PUBLICIZED SPEECH?

Publicized speech should be understood to be limited to those aired or printed in the various forms of media
such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and internet, and excludes discussions, in public or in private,
between and among ordinary citizens.
FORMS OF SPEECH?
No. Only on publicized speech. The Constitution simply gives the citizens the right to speech, not the right to
unrestricted publicized speech.

WHAT IS PUBLICIZED SPEECH?

Publicized speech should be understood to be limited to those aired or printed in the various forms of media
such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and internet, and excludes discussions, in public or in private,
between and among ordinary citizens.