A liquid crystal device comprises an active matrix substrate (6) and a counter-substrate (7) provided with homeotropic alignment surfaces (11). A layer of nematic liquid crystal material is provided between the alignment surfaces (11) so as to form a vertically aligned nematic device. The substrates (6, 7) carry a pixel electrode arrangement and a counter-electrode arrangement which define a plurality of pixel regions. Each of least some of these regions has a pixel electrode (13), which may be split into two halves, and a counter-electrode (8) which are arranged to apply an electric field for controlling the liquid crystal director (12) out-of-plane tilt angle. A further electrode (14), for example in the form of a plurality of parallel fingers, cooperates with at least one of the other electrodes (8, 13) to apply a second electric field for controlling the director in-plane azimuth angle. Such a device may be used, for example, as a switchable public/private display.