Supreme Court of Kentucky
Supreme Court approves new rules governing attorney conduct
For the first time in nearly 20 years the Supreme Court of Kentucky has approved comprehensive revisions to its rules governing attorney conduct, including a new rule that requires attorneys who know about professional misconduct by other attorneys or judges to report the misconduct. The rules were released April 16 and become effective July 15.
“The revised rules reflect thoughtful changes that will bring Kentucky into line with national standards for attorney conduct,” Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. said. “Our goal is to improve public confidence in our state’s legal profession by strengthening attorney accountability.”
Revised Supreme Court Rules with order effective 7-15-2009 (382KB-PDF)
 The members of the Supreme Court of Kentucky are, standing, left to right; Deputy Chief Justice Will T. Scott, Justice Wil Schroder, Justice Mary C. Noble and Justice Bill Cunningham, and seated, left to right; Justice Lisabeth Hughes Abramson, Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. and Justice Daniel J. Venters.
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. A case, which comes before the Supreme Court, is not retried. Attorneys with written briefs and oral arguments addressing the legal issues, which the Court must decide, present the case to the Supreme Court. Cases involving the death penalty, life imprisonment or imprisonment for twenty years or more go directly from the circuit court level, where the cases are tried, to the Supreme Court for review as a matter of right. After a decision by the Supreme Court of Kentucky, a case can only be appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is also responsible for establishing rules of practice and procedures for the Court of Justice, which includes the conduct of judges and attorneys. The Supreme Court receives administrative support from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Multiple departments of the AOC provide support services for the justices and their offices.
SUPREME COURT OF KENTUCKY
State Capitol
Room 235, 700 Capitol Avenue
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
502-564-5444
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