Referees

The Referee's powers shall be as follows:

1. The Referee (SHUSHIN) shall have the power to conduct matches including announcing the start, the suspension, and the end of the match, to ensure that the decisions are correctly recorded.

2. To obtain and act upon the opinion(s) of the Judges.

During bout the Referee shall be obliged to pay attention and react responsibly to the Judges’ (FUKUSHIN) signals.

When two Judges give the same signal, or indicate a score for the same competitor, the Referee can add his third vote and, by the majority of votes, award the clear victory (IPPON GACHI), the WAZA-ARI or penalize a competitor for the infraction of the Rules.

When two Judges show an infraction of the Rules (HANSOKU) by a competitor, the Referee, depending on whether the situation in the bout evolves in favor of the offender or not, has the right not to stop the bout and show «MITOMEZU!» («Invalid!»). If the Referee does not stop the bout, he has to show this to the Judges by gesture and to the competitors by the command «ZOKKO!» («Continue!»). If three or four Judges show an infraction of Rules by a competitor, the Referee, regardless of the situation, must stop the bout and count the flags made by the Judges and penalize the offender with the official warning (CHUI).

3. To stop the match when it in the Referee’s opinion has been a point scored, a foul committed, or to ensure the safety of the competitors. If the Referee recognizes an infraction of the Rules (HANSOKU) and stops the bout, but is not supported by the Judges and is not able to penalize the offender with the official warning (CHUI), he may give the offender an oral warning (KEIKOKU).

4. To request confirmation of the Judges’ verdict in instances where there may, in the Referee’s opinion, be grounds for the Judges to re-evaluate their call for IPPON, WAZA-ARI, warning or penalty.

If three or four Judges show IPPON, WAZA-ARI or an infraction of the rules (HANSOKU), but the Referee doubts the propriety of their judging of the situation, he may stop the bout, gather the Judges for debate, consult with the Match Supervisor (KANSA), the Tatami Manager, or the Referee Commission, and upon the consultation either declare the clear victory (IPPON GACHI), give WAZA-ARI, the order of «MITOMEZU!» («Invalid!»), or the official warning (CHUI). In case the Referee announces «MITOMEZU!» («Invalid!») or gives the official warning (CHUI), he has to precisely explain to the competitors the reasons for the decision.

5. To explain to the Tatami Manager, Referee Commission, or Appeals Jury, if necessary, the basis for giving a judgement.

6. To impose penalties and to issue warnings.

7. To conduct voting of the Judges (HANTEI), including his own vote, and announce the result.

8. To announce the winner.

9. The authority of the Referee is not confined solely to the competition area but also to all of its immediate perimeter.

10. The Referee shall give all commands and make all announcements.

Judges

The Judges (FUKUSHIN) powers shall be as follows:

1. To signal points scored, warnings and penalties.

2. To exercise their right to vote on any decision to be taken.

3. The Judges shall carefully observe the actions of the competitors and signal to the Referee an opinion in the following cases:

a) When a score is observed.

b) When a competitor has committed a prohibited act and/or techniques.

c) When an injury, illness or inability of a competitor to continue is noticed.

d) When both or either of the competitors have moved out of the competition area (JOGAI).

e) In other cases when it is deemed necessary to call the attention of the Referee.

4. Each Judge is to indicate his opinion clearly by making an appropriate gesture and giving a blow of whistle.

5. Each Judge is to express his opinion clearly in response to signals of other Judges and the Referee and show whether he supports their judging of the situation, or not, by showing «MITOMEZU!» («Invalid!») or «MIEZU!» («Not Visible!»).

6. Should a Judge express a judgment different from that of the Referee and other Judges, he should roll up flags and by swinging them and whistling attract attention of the Referee, who is to gather the Referee Panel for debate.

7. The Judges must also observe that the scores recorded by the recorders are correct with the scores announced by the Referee. Should a Judge note that the scoreboard is incorrect he should draw the Referee's attention to the mistake.

8. A Judge must be quick to remove himself and his chair should his position endanger the competitors.