LAWS OF BOWLS

Laws of the sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark 4th edition

Section 3.2 – Officials and their duties and spectators

Law 43 – The umpire’s duties.
43.1 An umpire must be appointed by, or on behalf of, the Controlling Body for the competition.

 43.2 The umpire’s duties are as follows.

43.2.1 To make sure, before the game starts, that:

43.2.1.1 all bowls have a clearly visible, valid World Bowls Stamp imprinted on them;
43.2.1.2 the rink of play is the correct width in line with law 49.1 by measuring it; and
43.2.1.3 the pegs, discs or other types of markers on the side banks in the direction of play are the correct distances in line with law 49.12 by measuring them.

43.2.2 The umpire must measure any disputed shot or shots using suitable measuring equipment, such as that described in law 54.
43.2.3 The umpire must decide whether the distance of the mat line from the rear and front ditches and the distance of the jack or a bowl from the mat line are in line with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls or not.
43.2.4 The umpire must decide whether a jack or a bowl is in play or not.
43.2.5 The umpire must make sure that all aspects of play are in line with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls.
43.2.6 The umpire’s decision is final in all circumstances except those relating to the meaning or interpretation of a law, in which case there will be a right of appeal to the Controlling Body.