An updated set of guidelines on when reporting restrictions should or should not be imposed in criminal cases has been published by leading industry bodies.

The first collated set of guidance on open justice for judges, magistrates, journalists and lawyers was published in 2000.

Now the publication has been updated to take account of changes in the law since then.

They include reporting anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos), new restrictions on double jeopardy investigations and proceedings and reporting cases involving sexual offences.

The guidelines have been published by the Judicial Studies Board (JSB), Society of Editors, Newspaper Society and Times Newspapers Ltd.

Instead of the two original separate guides to reporting restrictions in Magistrates’ Courts and Crown Court respectively, the new version brings the two together in a single publication.

Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: “A clear statement of the rules plus common sense guidance helps everyone and this update recognises the achievement since the first edition as well as changes in the law.”

Santha Rasaiah of the Newspaper Society added: “The local media play a crucial role in keeping the whole community informed of the work of the local courts. We will be encouraging editors to take this opportunity to discuss with their local courts how they can work together to promote public understanding of the courts.”

The updated guidelines can be read in full here.