Major Bodies / Sources of Law
Kentuckians are at all times bound by both federal and Kentucky constitutional rights, statutes, administrative regulations, and common/case law (developed through court trials and subsequent legal opinions).
Federal Bodies of Law
Federal Constitution
Federal Statutes: United States Code (USC)
Federal Administrative Regulations: Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Federal Case Law:
Kentucky Bodies of Law
Kentucky Constitution
Kentucky Statutes: Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS)
Kentucky Administrative Regulations: Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR)
Kentucky Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice (FCRPP)
Kentucky Case Law:
Procedural Rules
Depending on the specific legal issue(s) involved, certain procedural rules will apply. These rules establish the format of legal actions.
Federal Procedural Rules
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Federal Rules of Evidence
Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
Kentucky Procedural Rules
Rules of Civil Procedure: Kentucky Civil Rules (CR)
Rules of Evidence: Kentucky Rules of Evidence (KRE)
Rules of Criminal Procedure: Kentucky Rules of Criminal Procedure (RCr)
Rules of Family Law: Kentucky Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice (FCRPP)
Local Rules of Court
A court’s local rules are additional procedural regulations which must be followed by all parties to an action before that court.
Kentucky State Court Local Rules of Practice
Kentucky’s Federal Court Rules
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
Local Ordinances
When in a particular city or county, local ordinances may also apply as an additional set of legal rules.
Kentucky Local Ordinances (sample)
Lexington-Fayette Code of Ordinances
Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government Code of Ordinances
Rules Governing Attorneys
Kentucky attorneys are bound by the Kentucky Supreme Court Rules (SCR), including the Rules of Professional Conduct.