Click on the following for a link to the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure on WestLaw.
Access can also be had via the Kentucky Bar Association site at http://kybar.org/247
The Supreme Court of Kentucky
The Supreme Court of Kentucky is the court of last resort and the final interpreter of state law. It consists of seven justices who are elected from the seven appellate districts and serve eight-year terms. The Chief Justice of the Commonwealth is chosen by his or her colleagues and serves a term of four years. The justices, as a panel, hear appeals of decisions from the lower courts and issue decisions or "opinions" on cases.
The Kentucky Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals hears appeals from District or Circuit courts to review the correctness of the trial court's decision. Fourteen judges, two elected from seven appellate court districts, serve on the Court of Appeals. The judges are divided into panels of three to review and decide cases, with the majority determining the decision. The panels do not sit permanently in one location, but travel about the state to hear cases.
Circuit Courts
Circuit Courts are courts of general jurisdiction that hear civil matters involving more than $5,000, capital offenses and felonies, land dispute title cases and contested probate cases. Circuit Courts have the power to issue injunctions, writs of prohibition and writs of mandamus and to hear appeals from District Court and administrative agencies. One judge may serve more than one county within a circuit. Some circuits contain only one county but have several judges, depending on population and caseload. Circuit judges serve in eight-year terms.
District Courts
District Courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and handle juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse.
