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Laws of Duplicate Bridge 16


By Ross P - Posted on 23 October 2017

Law 80
Regulation and Organisation
Law 80 describes the responsibilities of Regulating Authorities and Tournament Organisers and does not relate directly to any part of the playing process other than the gathering and publishing of results.
Law 81
The Director
A. Official Status
The Director is the official representative of the tournament organiser.
B. Restrictions and Responsibilities
1. The Director is responsible fo rthe on-site technical management of the tournament. He/she has powers to remedy any omissions of the tournament organiser.
2. The Director applies, and is bound by, these Laws and supplementary regulations announced under authority given in these Laws.
C. Director’s Duties and Powers
The Director (not the players) has the responsibility for rectifying irregularities and redressing damage. The Directors duties and powers normally include also the following:
1. To maintain discipline and to ensure the orderly progress of the game.
2. To administer and interpret these laws and to advise the players of their rights and responsibilities thereunder.
3. To rectify an error or irregularity of which he/she becomes aware in any manner, within the periods established in accordance with Laws 79C and 92B.
4. To assess rectification when applicable and to exercise the powers given to him/her in Laws 90 and 91.
5. To waive rectification for cause, in his/her discretion, upon the request of the non-offending side.
6. To adjust disputes.
7. To refer any matter to an appropriate committee.
8. To report results for the official record if the tournament organiser requires it and to deal with any other matters delegated to him/her by the tournament organiser.
D. Delegation of Duties
The Director may delegate any of his/her duties to assistants, but he/she is not thereby relieved of responsibility for their correct performance.
Law 82
Rectification of Errors of Procedure
A. Director’s Duty
It is the responsibility of the Director to rectify errors of procedure and to maintain the progress of the game in a manner that is not contrary to these laws.
B. Rectification of Error
To rectify an error in procedure the Director may:
1. Award an adjusted score as permitted by these Laws.
2. Require, postpone or cancel the play of a board.
3. Exercise any other power given to him/her in these Laws.
C. Director’s Error
If a ruling has been given that the Director subsequently determines to be incorrect, and if no rectification will allow the board to be scored normally, he/she shall award an adjusted score, treating both sides as non-offending for that purpose.
Law 83
Notification of the Right to Appeal
If the Director believes that a review of his/her decision on a point of fact or exercise of his/her discretionary power could well be in order, he/she shall advise a contestant of his/her right to appeal or may refer the matter to an appropriate committee.
Law 84
Rulings on Agreed Facts
When the Director is called upon to rule on a point of law or regulation in which the facts are agreed, he/she rules as follows:
A. No Rectification
If no rectification is prescribed by law, and there is no occasion for him/her to exercise discretionary powers, he/she directs the players to proceed with the auction or play.
B. Law Provides Rectification
If the case is clearly covered by a law that prescribes the rectification for the irregularity , he/she determines that rectification and ensures that it is implemented.
C. Player’s Option
If a law gives a player a choice of rectification the Director explains the options and sees that the choice is made and implemented.
D. Director’s Option
The Director rules any doubtful point in favour of the non-offending side. He/she seeks to restore equity. If in his/her judgement it is probable that a non-offending side has been damaged by an irregularity for which these laws provide no rectification he/she adjusts the score (see Law 12).
Law 85
Rulings on Disputed Facts
When the Director is called upon to rule on a point of law or regulation in which the facts are not agreed upon, he/she proceeds as follows:
A. Director’s Assessment
1. In determining the facts the Director shall base his/her view on the balance of probabilities, which is to say in accordance with the weight of the evidence he/she is able to collect.
2. If the Director is then satisfied that he/she has ascertained all the facts to his/her satisfaction, he/she rules as in Law 84.
B. Facts Not Determined
If the Director is unable to determine the facts to his/her satisfaction, he/she makes a ruling that will permit play to continue.