Any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable of right by a jury by serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any time after the commencement of the action and not later than 10 days after the service of the last pleading directed to such issue. Such demand may be indorsed upon a pleading of the party, and if indorsed on the complaint, the filing of the complaint shall constitute service of the demand.
Rule 38.02.Demand.
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRequires a party who wants a jury trial on an issue to serve a written demand on the other parties no later than 10 days after service of the last pleading directed to that issue, and allows the demand to be endorsed directly on a pleading such as the complaint.
Full Text of Rule 38.02
Amendment History
The source reproduced here (current through June 18, 2026) records no amendment to this rule since its original adoption — no History line appears for it in the compiled rules. For the underlying adopting order and any later amendments, see the West’s Rules & Procedures.
Plain-English Summary
To get a jury trial, a party has to ask for one in writing, and ask on time. The clock runs from service of the last pleading directed to the issue in question, not from when the lawsuit was filed — so the deadline can land at different points in the case depending on which issue is at stake and how the pleadings unfold.
The rule also gives a shortcut: a party can write the jury demand right onto a pleading instead of serving a separate document. If a plaintiff endorses the demand on the complaint, filing the complaint itself serves as service of the demand, so no extra step is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I demand a jury trial in Kentucky?
Serve a written demand for a jury trial on the other parties no later than 10 days after service of the last pleading directed to the issue you want tried by a jury. You can also endorse the demand on a pleading instead of serving it separately.
What is the deadline for demanding a jury trial?
The demand must be served not later than 10 days after service of the last pleading directed to the issue that is triable by a jury. The deadline runs from that pleading, not from the start of the case.
Can I put my jury demand on the complaint itself?
Yes. A jury demand may be endorsed on a pleading of the party making it. If it is endorsed on the complaint, filing the complaint counts as service of the demand.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 38.02). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Kentucky (Ky. Const. § 116). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
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