The World Bowls Laws Committee (LC), together with World Bowls Member National Authorities (MNAs), reviews the Laws of the Sport every four years – in line with the Commonwealth Games cycle.
The last major review was in 2014, which produced the Laws of the Sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark Third Edition. A full review was not carried out in 2018, as World Bowls and MNAs agreed no major changes were needed at that time.
Between full reviews, changes can still be proposed by World Bowls, the LC, or individual MNAs when needed. These proposed changes are considered at the World Bowls Council Meeting, held every two years. If approved, they are added to the official laws.
For example, revisions to the Crystal Mark Third Edition were approved at the 2016 and 2018 Council Meetings. Any new or pending changes are published in the “WB Laws Decisions” section of the World Bowls website (under “Laws and Umpiring”) until they are fully incorporated into the official Laws.
In addition to updates, this section of the website also includes the LC’s rulings on questions from MNAs – such as clarifications of intent or interpretations of particular laws.
Key Documents
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