1 January 2026; start date not confirmedBinding ruleSupreme Court of Kentucky (approving 56th Judicial Circuit local rules: Caldwell, Livingston, Lyon and Trigg)Last checked 31 October 2026
Jurisdiction
Kentucky: AI rules for lawyers
Kentucky, United States · Switch state
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What this means for lawyers
The Kentucky Bar Association's Ethics Committee says the existing Rules of Professional Conduct (SCR 3.130) already apply to AI. Lawyers must keep abreast of AI's benefits and risks (Rule 1.1, Comment 6), and the opinion says not using an available AI tool may in time be a competence failure.
Lawyers must safeguard confidential client information when using AI, and should review a provider's privacy policy and disclaimers before use.
Lawyers must review court rules on AI and check the accuracy of every AI-assisted filing; partners and supervisors must have AI policies and training in place.
No statewide Kentucky court rule, standing order or disclosure requirement on AI was found. Check the local rules and the orders of the particular judge or court before filing.
As at .
Telling the court and the client
- Tell the courtVaries by court
Court disclosure: depends — no statewide rule was found, and the 56th Circuit local rule requires verification, not disclosure; other courts' rules may differ. Client disclosure/consent: depends — KBA E-457 says there is no duty to disclose routine use of AI-generated research, unless the work is outsourced to a third party, the client is being charged for the cost of AI, or court rules require disclosure; consent is needed if an outside AI service will receive confidential information.
- Tell the clientVaries
Same basis and sources as above.
What changed in Kentucky in the last 12 months
AI instruments
Courts and tribunals
State bar and regulators
15 March 2024; start date not confirmedProfessional guidanceKentucky Bar Association Ethics CommitteeLast checked 31 October 2026
Sources
- Supreme Court of Kentucky (approving 56th Judicial Circuit local rules: Caldwell, Livingston, Lyon and Trigg): 56th Judicial Circuit Local Rule 12: Artificial Intelligence - Use of AI to Create Court Submissions · last checked
- Kentucky Bar Association Ethics Committee: Ethics Opinion KBA E-457: The Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law · last checked
- Kentucky Court of Justice · last checked
Court AI rule changes + new tools, monthly
One email a month when a court changes its AI practice note or a tool is added to the catalogue. Your address is kept for that note. See Privacy.
Before the work starts
- Define the matter
Confirm the client’s instructions, jurisdiction, intended output and the information available before dividing the work.
- Confirm the source material
Check the work against the original records and identify omissions, contradictions and remaining information.
- Record review and approval
Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.
- Jurisdiction
Apply this guidance to the actual matter and jurisdiction. Confirm current requirements before relying on an example.
Limits on AI assistance
- Confirm firm, client and applicable court or professional restrictions before using any AI feature.