Rules for Judges, Student Judges and Stewards
date of issue: 01.01.2008
5 Judges Training Programme
5.1Student Judges
5.1.1 Amount of stewarding
To become a judge, the following procedures must be complied with:
- participation as a steward at 10 national or international shows where the owners are not permitted to present the cats themselves, or
- at 20 national or international shows where the owners may present their own cats.
Through a positive steward certificate the steward will in this way prove his ability of handling different cats under circumstances which are typical for cat shows.
The steward must have experience in handling cats from all categories to develop an understanding for different breeds and feline behaviour in general.
5.1.2 Period for stewarding
The participation as a steward, in accordance with article 5.1.1, must be spread over no less than two years (minimum period).
5.1.3 Requirements for the Candidature as student judge
5.1.3.1 Being an active member
Before taking the preliminary examination, the candidate must have been an active member in a FIFe club for at least five years.
5.1.3.2 Experience as breeder, as exhibitor and in show organisation
When the candidate presents himself for the preliminary test to become a student judge for his first category the following requirements must be met:
- The candidate must have bred at least 3 litters under his own pedigree name (or another pedigree name in his household) for a period of at least 3 years. The litters in question must be among the breeds included in the category concerned.
- The candidate must have experience as an exhibitor, i.e. he must have exhibited cats at a minimum number of 20 national or international shows. At least one cat registered under his own pedigree name must have obtained the title GIC/GIP during the last 5 years.
- Experience in organizing shows is compulsory. Relevant experience includes positions such as show manager, experience in the secretariat or prize room etc.
- Experience as chief steward and/or ring secretary for various judges is highly recommended.
5.1.3.3 Preliminary examination, admission as student judge
Once the candidate has completed the required 10 or 20 steward assignments, he must sit a written preliminary examination set and updated by the Judges and Standards Commission. This examination must be taken in one of the three official FIFe languages and will be conducted by the member to which the candidate belongs.
The examination shall consist of 40 questions, of those at least 25 from the general part. The examination is to be completed within a maximum period of 120 minutes. A minimum of 80% of the possible marks must be achieved in order to gain a pass; less than this means the candidate has failed. It is a written examination.
The Member must send the original relevant steward certificates to the General Secretary no later than when requesting the preliminary exam for the candidate.
This application must be received by the FIFe General Secretary at least two months prior to the date of examination.
The Member must send the original copy of the examination together with the marks achieved to the General Secretary, no later than one month after the examination.
The General Secretary will check the file before sending the Member the official notification of admitting the candidate as a FIFe student judge.
5.1.4 Language Requirements for student judges
The student judge must be able to speak the official FIFe language of the judge instructor.
The student judge must be able to communicate fluently in that language.
Generally, a student judge must be able to communicate fluently in at least one of the three official languages of FIFe. Student judges who have one of the official FIFe languages for their native language, should at least be able to speak and write in one of the other official FIFe languages.
5.1.5 Requirement to inform the FIFe General Secretary about student judges
FIFe members are required to forward to the FIFe General Secretary the name of each student judge in accordance with Article 5.1.3.3 of the Judges Rules.
5.1.6 Responsibility of the FIFe member for its student judges
The FIFe member to which the candidate belongs, is entirely responsible for the progress of the candidate, and can oppose a final examination if in the FIFe member's opinion the candidate does not show sufficient knowledge.
5.1.7 Mentorship for student judges, mid-stream assessments
The FIFe will encourage the use of mentorship in the Judges Training Programme: mid-stream assessment is obligatory.
This midstream assessment is done by the instructing judge when the pupil has completed half of his cats. This evaluation must be written into the pupil’s certificate.
After the approved mid-stream assessment the student judge must in each participation as a student judge write a complete judge’s report, which will be evaluated by the instructing judge. A student judge shall in public, under the supervision of an instructing judge assess a minimum of five cats.
5.1.8 Application for admission as a student judge to a show
The FIFe member to which the student judge belongs, is required to send an application for admission of a student judge to the organizing club at least one month prior to the show.
The organizer is recommended to accept at least one student judge per international show.
All FIFe members—clubs and federations—have to answer in writing or orally to an application from a student judge in due time prior to the date when the show takes place.
5.1.9 Admission as student judge on a show in a foreign country
In order to act as a trainee in a foreign country, the student judge must obtain written approval from the FIFe member to which he belongs.
5.1.10 Student judge certificates
After each student judge's participation, the judge instructor issues a certificate containing the following:
- his observations on the diligence, capability, personal appearance, e.g. neat and tidy and general demeanour of the student judge;
- the relevant numbers of cats of each breed and variety that the student judge has dealt with.
For this purpose, FIFe has issued a special form: this standard student judge’s certificate must be used as the only valid student judge’s certificate document.
The certificate is to be issued in one of the three official FIFe languages, i.e. French, German or English. This certificate will be given directly to the student judge or the instructing judge can send it directly to the FIFe member to which the student judge is affiliated within one month after the show.
Should the FIFe member consider the certificate inadequate, it can be refused.
Changes and/or corrections in student judge certificates are only accepted when countersigned by instructing judge. Any other changes or amendments to the certificate will render it invalid.
The instructing judge is to write the total number of cats seen on the student judge certificate not only in numbers, but also in full (words). The show organizer is required to provide the judges with the necessary papers before judging commences.
5.1.10.1 deleted
5.1.11 Amount of student judges per category
Participation as a student judge at 10 respectively 15 and 20:
- national shows or
- international shows
- and/or national special breed shows or breed club matches in one of the following categories:
- 10 times for category I; i.e. a minimum of 450 cats
- 15 times for category II; i.e. a minimum of 675 cats
- 20 times for category III; i.e. a minimum of 900 cats
- 10 times for category IV. i.e. a minimum of 450 cats.
Other requirements as listed in article 5.1.3.2.
5.1.12 Amount of student judges for judges continuing with a further category
In the event of an already accredited judge wishing to qualify in another category, this judge will be required to repeat the judge training procedure and participate as a student judge at 8 international shows (a minimum of 360 cats) before becoming eligible to take the examination, exception is made for category II: 13 times (a minimum of 585 cats) and category III: 18 times (a minimum of 810 cats).
5.1.13 Training period and training in different categories during the same training period
The training period of a student judge is required to cover a minimum of two years.
The maximum period of training will be decided by the FIFe member to whom the student judge belongs.
In one training period a student judge may only undertake training in two categories. It is not permitted to undertake training in all four categories in one training period.
5.1.14 Training
5.1.14.1 Compulsory training seminar for student judges
It is compulsory for a student judge in his first category to participate in a training seminar conducted and organized by the FIFe. The seminar will be arranged twice a year in different parts of Europe and will take place at week-ends. The minimum duration must be one day.
This seminar will be listed in the official show calendar at least 3 months prior to the fixed date. The information (location, duration and subjects) must be available within the same timeframe.
The seminar will cover subjects like colour and patterns including basic genetics, cat’s anatomy and health, social behaviour and the ethics of judging.
The student judge must pay the travel, accommodation and meals by himself. FIFe will pay the seminar itself together with the costs of the lecturer. In cases where judges are used for lecturing they will receive the same payment as for judging.
5.1.14.2 Being an Active Student Judge
A student judge must serve as a trainee a minimum of twice a year to be considered an active student judge. Otherwise the student judge should no longer be considered as participating in the judges training programme, except under extraordinary circumstances accepted by the FIFe member to whom the student judge belongs.
5.1.14.3 Training in foreign countries
The student judge must serve as a trainee at national or international shows and/or national special breed shows or breed club matches at least:
- 10 times for category I or category IV (minimum 450 cats),
- 15 times for category II (minimum 675 cats),
- 20 times for category III (minimum 900 cats)
of which at least 3 have taken place in at least 2 foreign countries (at least 135 cats), except for category III where at least 5 must take place in at least 2 countries outside his own (minimum 225 cats).
5.1.14.4 Study of all breeds
All breeds in the category in question must have been examined by the student judge (except the GRX and SOK in category III). Certain groups of colours/ patterns must have been examined.
The FIFe Board may grant exceptions when a candidate applies for his final examination in accordance with the geographic situation of that candidate. However, this/these exception/s must be fulfilled at the latest during the period of doing the stage or stages.
5.1.14.5 Presence at Best-in-Show
Student judges are required to be present during the Best-in-Show.
5.1.14.6 Training in different categories during the same training period
Deleted.
5.1.14.7 Participation in training seminars
A maximum participation for Student Judges at 3 training seminars in the categories I and IV, 4 training seminars in category II and 5 training seminars in category III are acceptable.
Each attendance at a seminar will be equal to the attendance of one international show, national special breed show or breed club match (equaling 45 cats judged).
National training seminars for student judges are defined by a specific set of rules.
5.1.14.8 Parallel judging
At least 90 (ninety) cats in category I and IV and at least 135 (one hundred and thirty five) cats in category II and III of the total number must consist of parallel judging with the instructing judge.
For this purpose, FIFe has issued a special form: this standard parallel student judge’s certificate must be used as the only valid parallel student judge’s certificate document.
Such parallel judging will normally take place at the end of the training programme, just before the student judge presents himself for the final exam.
- Parallel judging conditions:
- The parallel judging is to start no later than the official judging
- The candidate has to judge and make written reports on all cats allotted
- The candidate also selects his best of variety and nominations for best in show.
5.1.14.9 Requirements for the organizer
- The organizing club is required to ensure that:
- the student judge has at least one steward at his disposal during the entire parallel judging
- the parallel judging takes place under similar conditions as the official judging (light, cages, ring etc.).
5.2Examination
5.2.1 Repertory of examination questions
The repertory of examination questions may be provided by the Secretary of the FIFe to any FIFe member who requests them for training purpose.
5.2.2 Responsibility of the FIFe member
The FIFe member must take all necessary steps to ensure that the candidate it presents is sufficiently qualified to meet the necessary requirements relating to:
- his training
- his conduct;
- his judging qualities as a probational judge.
The FIFe member carries the full responsibility.
5.2.3 Application for examination: Requirements
The application for a student judge to take an examination has to be submitted to the FIFe Secretariat by the FIFe member to which he belongs. All necessary documents as required and laid down in Article 5.1.10 and 5.1.13 must be attached.
The application should include:
- the choice of Breed Category, e.g.:
- category I;
- category II;
- category III;
- category IV;
- the show where the candidate intends to sit for the examination;
- the name of the examining judges.
The application must be received by the FIFe General Secretary at least two months prior to the date of examination.
5.2.4 Examination Fee
An examination fee determined by the General Assembly must be forwarded to the FIFe Treasurer at the same time as the application for the examination is sent to the FIFe Secretariat.
The actual amount is listed in Annex 1 of the General Rules.
The examination fee will be divided into three parts: 1/3 for FIFe, 1/3 for the organizing club and 1/3 for the two examining judges.
5.2.5 Requirements for the candidates: age, language
The candidate must be at least 25 years of age on the day of the examination.
The candidate cannot be admitted to the show hall before the examination takes place.
The candidate must select one of the three official FIFe languages.
5.2.6 Possibilities taking the judge’s examination
The judges examination can be taken either:
- during an international one day show or
- during an international two days show
where at least 50 cats in the categories I, II or III and 40 cats in the category IV are entered.
An examination can only be taken on the first day of a two-certificate show or a ”Border show”.
The theoretical examination can also be taken during the compulsory student seminar (see Article 5.1.14.1) or during the FIFe Judges Seminar (see Article 3.1) with two members of the Judges and Standards commission. This theoretical examination will be valid for the following 12 months.
5.2.7 Written permission for the examination given by the FIFe Board
Before starting the examination, the candidate is obliged to present a written permission given by the FIFe Board to the judges who act as examiners.
5.2.8 Limit on number of examinations at one time
An examination can only be taken in one category at a time.
5.2.9 Three times judging before the next examination
A judge, intending to do his examination in a further category, must meet the following requirements:
- He must have passed at least the three stages or one stage in accordance with the Article 2.8.5.
- He must have judged a minimum of three times (min. 20 cats for category I and IV, min. 45 cats for category II and III) as an International Judge in the previous category for which he qualified.
- He must have been an active judge in the year prior to the planned examination date.
5.2.10 Examination Panel
The examination is conducted by a panel composed of two international judges who are judging at the show concerned, and
- who have been active judges in the category in which the candidate is to be examined for at least five years and
- who have participated at least once in three years in the judges seminar organized by FIFe in conjunction with the General Assembly or by one of the FIFe members.
In the event of a judge being prevented from attending the show, another international judge, who is judging at the show may be asked to deputize, providing the current requirements are complied with.
5.2.11 Report about the examination
The examining judges must send their reports on the examination to the General Secretary no later than two weeks after the examination with a copy to the FIFe member to which the candidate belongs.
The reports must enclose a copy of the theoretical questions and answers together with the marks achieved on both the theoretical and the practical part.
5.2.12 Three years between the fundamental categories
Deleted.
5.2.13 Theoretical and Practical Examination
The judges examination consists of two parts:
a. theoretical
b. practical.
The two examining judges and the candidate must be able to communicate in the same FIFe language.
5.2.13.1 Theoretical examination
The examination is to start before the official judging starts, but not later than 9.00 a.m. at the latest, or the day before the show commencing no later than 7.00 p.m. (except in case of technical difficulties).
The examination is to be completed within a maximum period of 120 minutes.
It is a written examination.
The questions are selected by the FIFe Judges and Standards Commission and sent to the examining judges at least two weeks prior to the examination date.
The questions should be among those listed in the questionnaires set and updated by the Judges and Standards Commission together with the topics discussed during the compulsory seminars for student judges.
A minimum of 80% of the possible marks must be achieved in order to gain a pass; less than this means the candidate has failed and he cannot present himself for the practical examination.
5.2.13.2 Questions for the theoretical examination
The theoretical questions are to be divided as follows:
- 15 questions on general matters;
- 15 questions relating to the category selected, to which only short answers are required;
- 10 questions relating to the category concerned, where full elaborate answers are required.
5.2.13.3 Practical examination
- The examination is to start no later than the official judging (except in case of technical difficulties).
- A pass with a minimum of 80% of the marks is required.
- The candidate has to judge and make written reports on at least 35 cats (40 cats is the maximum).
- The candidate also selects his "best of variety" and nominations for "best-in-show".
5.2.13.4 Requirements for the organizer
The organizing club is required to ensure that:
- the candidate has at least two stewards at his disposal during the entire part of the practical examination;
- the examination takes place under similar conditions as the official judging (light, cages, ring etc.).
5.2.13.5 Requirements for the examiners
The examiners are required to:
- evaluate the theoretical part within 45 minutes;
- have lunch with the candidate (at least one of the examiners);
- compile various classes for assessment, of which one is large and consisting of at least 5 cats if possible;
- compile classes by sex and colour; mixing of sexes is not allowed;
- announce the final result of the examination on the second day of the show and no later than 2.00 p.m.
- During a one-day show such an announcement must be made before the show closes.
- The same applies for a two-days show with separated categories.
5.2.14Failure of an examination
Should a candidate fail the examination, the entire examination has to be repeated. It is left to the FIFe member to decide how many times a candidate may present himself for an examination.
5.3Stages
Please refer to Article 2.8.5.
