Cardinal Pell was convicted behind closed doors on five child sexual abuse charges in December 2018. He was acquitted by the High Court this year.

Suppression orders in place because of a pending second trial, which was later dropped, meant his conviction could not be reported until months later.

But a number of media outlets published information about the conviction of a high-profile Australian and referenced court orders.

Victoria's Director of Public Prosecutions Kerri Judd QC has charged 11 corporations and 19 individuals with contempt over the publications.

Each are accused of breaching a suppression order over the whole of the proceedings, and of sub judice contempt in respect of the then-pending second trial.

There are 100 charges in total, with each accused facing between two and eight charges over newspaper, online, television and radio reports, and editorials.

Barrister Matt Collins QC, who is representing all 30 accused, told Victoria's Supreme Court on Tuesday multiple trials are likely to be sought.

"At present it appears to us there are 13 separate controversies and on the face of it, it would do an injustice to have journalists for rival news organisations face trial at the same time," he said on Tuesday.

All would be heard by a judge alone.

Dr Collins said his clients were anxious for the case to be resolved.

"They've had these matters hanging over their heads for far too long," he said.

Justice John Dixon agreed the case, which has been going for more than a year, was dragging on too long.

He noted it seemed the parties hadn't agreed to any facts in the case, noting the prosecution argument that Cardinal Pell was a high-profile Australian hadn't been accepted by the defence.

But Dr Collins said while that seemed an uncontroversial statement, the status of Cardinal Pell's profile in Darwin, Perth or anywhere else outside Victoria was irrelevant to the case.

He said given the serious contempt charges being faced, they couldn't admit such a bold allegation.

But prosecution lawyer Lisa De Ferrari SC said the suppression orders over the case applied Australia-wide, so it was relevant.

If convicted, organisations face significant fines while individuals face up to five years in prison.

Dr Collins previously described the charges as "serious as it gets" and said guilty findings could have a "chilling effect" on open justice.

Justice Dixon listed November 9 for the first trial, but flagged the possibility it could happen sooner.

"I've got a holiday booked in Spain in September - so I'll be around," he joked.

"We'll just have to juggle this and see how we go, but let's keep it moving forward."

Australian Associated Press