What Is Parallel Judging?

Parallel judging is a recognised training activity within the GCCF Judge Training Programme.

It allows a Student Judge to judge cats under the supervision of a Full Judge, in real show conditions, without affecting the official results of the show.

This article provides practical guidance for Student Judges, Full Judges, and JPG officers. It should be read alongside the official Judge Training documents published by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, which remain the definitive source.

Who Can Undertake Parallel Judging

Parallel judging is undertaken only by Student Judges.

It does not apply to:

• Junior Judges
• Speciality (Single) Breed Judges

Parallel judging forms part of the Judge Training Programme and contributes to the experience considered when progression is reviewed.

Which Cats Are Used

Parallel judging uses cats from a Full Judge’s breed classes.

For each parallel judging engagement:

• The Full Judge selects one breed class
• The Student Judge judges that single breed class
• The Student Judge judges the same exhibits as the Full Judge

The Student Judge does not choose the class. The selection is made by the Full Judge to ensure the class is appropriate for training and supervision. The level of supervision is decided by the tutor judge.

Class Size

There is no minimum number of cats specified for a breed class used for parallel judging.

A small class does not invalidate parallel judging. What matters is that the class is a genuine breed class judged by a Full Judge and that the Student Judge judges the same exhibits in parallel.

Over time, a range of class sizes may naturally provide broader experience, but this is not a requirement.

Kittens, Cats, and Neuters

Parallel judging is not restricted to kitten classes.

The breed class selected may include:

• Kittens
• Adult cats
• Neuters

Any of these are acceptable, provided they form part of the Full Judge’s breed classes. The suitability of the class is a matter for the supervising Full Judge.

One Show and Multiple Parallel Judgings

A Student Judge may undertake more than one parallel judging at the same show.

Each parallel judging is treated as a separate engagement, meaning:

• One breed class
• One supervising Full Judge
• One set of reports and placings

For example, a Student Judge may parallel judge one breed class under one Full Judge and a different breed class under another Full Judge at the same show. Each engagement is written up and submitted separately.

How Parallel Judging Works in Practice

Parallel judging follows a structured process.

During judging:

The Full Judge also decides whether the Student Judge judges independently at a distance or works alongside them during the judging process. Either approach is acceptable and reflects the Full Judge’s judgement of what best supports learning and supervision.

• The Student Judge judges independently
• The Full Judge judges independently
• Notes, placings, and awards are recorded separately
• No discussion takes place during judging

Once judging of the selected breed class is complete, discussion may then take place. This discussion focuses on placings, awards, and reasoning and forms part of the learning process.

Parallel judging does not affect official show results.

Engagement and Show Roles

A Student Judge does not need to be officially engaged to steward specifically for the Full Judge they are parallel judging with.

Parallel judging may take place while the Student Judge is:

• Stewarding for the supervising Full Judge
• Stewarding for a different judge at the same show
• Judging miscellaneous or club classes

The key requirement is that the Full Judge agrees to supervise the parallel judging and that the Show Manager is aware in advance.

Forms and Administration

There is no specific form for parallel judging.

This differs from:

• Tutorials
• Presentations
• Assessments

Even though no form is required, written reports must still be submitted.

Reports and Placings

After the show, the Student Judge submits:

• Written reports
• Placings

Each submission must clearly state:

• That it relates to parallel judging
• The breed class judged
• The supervising Full Judge
• The show name and date

Where more than one parallel judging takes place at the same show, each must be clearly identified and submitted separately.

Reports from parallel judging are considered alongside other required reports within the Judge Training Programme.

The Role of the Full Judge

The Full Judge supports learning while maintaining professional boundaries.

This includes:

• Selecting the breed class
• Confirming the class is suitable for training
• Allowing access to the judging book for that class
• Taking part in post-judging discussion

The Full Judge does not:

• Coach during judging
• Influence placings
• Alter their own results

Parallel judging is a learning exercise, not an assessment.

What the JPG Should Check

When reviewing submissions, the JPG should confirm that:

• The candidate was properly engaged at the show, either as a steward or to judge miscellaneous or club classes
• Each parallel judging covered one breed class
• Each engagement was supervised by a Full Judge
• Reports are clearly labelled as parallel judging
• Multiple parallel judgings at one show are submitted separately

This supports a clear and consistent check that the published criteria have been met.

Building Experience Over Time

Parallel judging supports progressive development.

While the Judge Training Programme does not restrict parallel judging to a specific number of shows or classes, experience is strongest when it is gained:

• Across different shows
• Under more than one Full Judge
• With exposure to a range of class sizes and exhibit types

Progression from Student Judge to Junior Judge is automatic on application once the published criteria have been met. The role of the JPG Secretary is to confirm that those criteria have been satisfied.

While the Judge Training Programme does not restrict where or when parallel judging takes place, gaining experience across different shows, judges, and class types supports broader development and prepares candidates for later stages of training.

Further Guidance

This article is a guide only.

You should always refer to:

• The Judge Training Programme
• The Judging Programme Governance and Administration document

These documents contain the full criteria, definitions, and governance that apply to parallel judging within the GCCF Judge Training framework. You can download the up to date versions of these documents here.