Judges’ Notices
For the Urgent Attention of:
Licensed & Learner Judges of Breed and Dogsport
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO JUDGES LICENSED BY KUSA PERTAINING TO THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF JUDGING APPOINTMENTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
It is necessary to bring to your urgent attention three amendments to KUSA Schedules which affect Judges who intend accepting invitations to judge in foreign countries. The amendments to the KUSA Regulations were fully motivated and approved at a Special Meeting of the Federal Council held on Monday, 25 August, of which Minutes are available on the KUSA website on the following link:
The following three amendments have relevance:
Amendment One:
SCHEDULE 10 – REGULATIONS – KUSA BREED JUDGES’ LEARNING PROGRAMME
Effective 01.01.2026
Regulation 5
Insert new Regulations 5.1 & 5.2, elimination of former Regulations 5.3, 5.4 & 5.6, and renumbering former Regulation 5.6 as Regulation 5.3, slightly amended.
5.1 In every instance a KUSA-licensed Judge is invited to judge in a foreign country, the Judge is obliged to inform the KUSA Judges’ Department in writing of the foreign invitation and request a ‘Clearance to Judge’ letter from the KUSA Judges’ Department.
5.2 Once the invited Judge’s qualifications and eligibility status have been verified by the KUSA Judges’ Department, a ‘Clearance to Judge’ letter will be sent from the KUSA Office to the foreign NCO directly, copied to the invited Judge.
5.3 It should be noted that foreign judging appointments will not count towards KUSA judging qualifications, with the exception of Breed Specialisation concessions as specifically provided for in Schedule 10 Appendix 3 Reg.6.3.4.
Amendment Two:
SCHEDULE 01 − DISCIPLINARY RULES
Effective 01.01.2026
Regulation 4
Insert a new Regulation 4.1.1.5, with the rest sequentially renumbered:
4. FOUNDATION FOR A COMPLAINT
4.1 A complaint may be made in respect of –
4.1.1 any conduct which is alleged to be fraudulent improper, dishonourable, disgraceful discreditable or deceitful, or conduct which is prejudicial or injurious to the interests of canine affairs or to members or officials of KUSA or Fedco, Exco or any PC of KUSA or persons who are concerned or connected therewith, relating to -
4.1.1.5 failure of a KUSA-licensed Judge or Evaluator to notify the KUSA Judges’ Department of every invitation received by them to judge in a foreign country, thereby deterring the KUSA Office from sending a ‘Clearance to Judge’ letter to the inviting foreign National Canine Organisation (NCO) as required under Schedule 10 Regulation 5.2;
4.1.1.6 the violation of the conditions of a Judge’s or Evaluator’s contract or other agreement with KUSA or any Club or PC;
4.1.1.7 the examinations of the JEC;
Amendment Three:
SCHEDULE 09 APPENDIX B − CODE OF CONDUCT AND PRACTICE FOR JUDGES LICENSED BY KUSA
Effective 01.01.2026
Insert a new Code 1.6, with sequential renumbering of the rest of the Codes:
1.6 Judges and Evaluators shall not accept an appointment to judge or evaluate in any foreign country unless they have notified the KUSA Judges’ Department of the invitation extended to them and have received, from the KUSA Judges’ Department, a copy of the ‘Clearance to Judge’ letter sent to the foreign National Canine Organisation (NCO).
As you will note, these Regulations come into effect on 1 January 2026, after which they will be strictly enforced. Any Judge who has already accepted an appointment to judge in a foreign country in 2026, and has not informed KUSA of such appointment, is advised to contact the KUSA Judges’ Department (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) immediately so that the ‘Clearance to Judge’ letter may be sent to the foreign NCO, copied to the invited Judge.
To avoid future disappointment or adverse consequences, we request your diligent compliance with Schedule 10 Regulations 5.1 & 5.2.
Yours sincerely,
Gérard Robinson
KUSA Secretary