British Orienteering

Event Competition Rules

Events registered with British Orienteering are governed by the Rules of Orienteering. Additionally, many competitions are regulated by separate Competition Rules, which give competitors and event official’s information about what to expect from that competition.
Access the relevant information you require regarding our rules below. 

A Change Sheet at the beginning of the documents provides a brief description of changes.

Rules of Orienteering

British Orienteering Rules and Appendices Effective 1st January 2024

Competition Rules

Competition RuleVersionEffective from:
A: British Long Distance Orienteering Championships2.9January 2025
B: British Middle Distance Orienteering Championships2.11January 2025
C: British Sprint Distance Orienteering Championships2.10January 2024
D: British Relay Orienteering Championships2.10January 2025
E: British Night Orienteering Championships2.8January 2025
F: Jan Kjellström Sprint Orienteering Championships 2.8January 2025
G: Jan Kjellström Individual Orienteering Championships2.9January 2025
H: Jan Kjellström Relay Orienteering Championships2.10January 2025
I: Area Long Distance Orienteering Championships2.7January 2025
J: UK Orienteering League1.6January 2024
K: Harvester Relays2.5January 2024
L: Yvette Baker Trophy2.9January 2024
M: Peter Palmer Junior Team Relay
January 2024
N: Badge Scheme2.4January 2024
O: Junior Inter-Regional Championships
January 2024
P: British Schools Score Championships
January 2024
Q: British Schools Orienteering Championships
January 2024
RJ: Junior Home Internationals
RS: Senior Home Internationals
RV: Veteran Home Internationals

January 2024
S: Ranking Scheme2.6January 2024
T: British Sprint Relay Championships 2.0January 2024

Compass Sport Cup 

Other, useful documents

Embargoed Areas

IOF Control Descriptions

Rule Change Process

All rule changes or waiver requests should be sent to Chair of the Rules Group with the subject line titled 'BOF Rule change/ Waiver Request'

Rule Change Form

Rule Waiver Form

Protests and Complaints

As a competitor, if you feel that the Rules are not being followed there is a procedure to follow.
Any complaint should initially be discussed with the Event Organiser, using the standard Complaints/Protests form.  When approaching the Organiser or any other event official you should bear in mind that they are volunteers who have given their valuable time to lay on the event, often under circumstances which are not ideal.
If the complaint is not resolved satisfactorily then a protest can be lodged with the Controller who will, if necessary, convene a Jury.