Scotch Doubles Shot-Clock

Here is the relevant extract from section 8 of the rules, which is titled GENERAL TOURNAMENT AND LEAGUE GUIDELINES, and clearly meant as optional rules which may be implemented variously by different tournaments, events and leagues.

8a TIMED SHOTS AND FOULS
Players have 60 seconds to play a shot, including the break shot or a shot with ‘ball in hand’. The referee starts timing when all balls come to rest from the previous shot (but see below, recovering an ‘in-off’ cue ball).
If a player has not played within 60 seconds it is a foul.
If 30 seconds elapse before a player has played a shot, the referee announces ‘thirty seconds’.
The call must be made the instant that time has elapsed and not postponed because a player is about to play a shot.
The referee may recover the cue ball from the basket if a player is slow in doing so.
The referee will hand the ball to the player in control. As soon as the cue ball is handed over, or the player recovers the ball, the referee starts timing. The player has 60 seconds to play a shot.
A ‘TimeOut’ is called for the following reasons ....
(a) Player requests a rest or bridge.
(b) Something or someone is obstructing the player.
(c) There is a ‘touching ball’ decision.

8f The referee ensures excessive time is not taken on a shot.
This will be in accordance with local competition rules and guidance and is necessary when an event doesn’t apply the ‘time rule’ described in rule 8a.

So those are the two timing guidelines we can draw on to convert to rules which will apply to our league.

Where strict timing has been in place, we have heard teams saying it's been great as there's been no messing about and it doesn't impact on fun. Conversely, we have also had verbal and written complaints that it is being policed too much and it is ruining the enjoyment of the nights.

Until the Christmas break (when we will ask for feedback from all teams) :-

If both captains agree at the start of the evening that they wish to play a 'shot clock game' with a physical timer, then that should be implemented as per rule 8a,

Otherwise all games are to be managed at the referees discretion. If the referee deems players are taking too long to take a shot/shots they should be warned they are on the clock by way of a '30 seconds' warning as per the General rules. If the Ref decides he/she wishes to put that match 'on the clock' they are within their right to do so. However the Ref should not be physically timing the game from the outset (unless agreed as above).

Where possible (and it always should be), a dedicated timekeeper should be allocated so that the referee need not be distracted by the task.