Each circuit court may appoint a master commissioner and a receiver as authorized by statute. Other master commissioners, deputy master commissioners, receivers, and their assistants may be appointed only upon express authority of the Chief Justice. A master commissioner or deputy master commissioner shall hold no other public office of the Court of Justice except a master commissioner or deputy master commissioner may also serve as a trial commissioner for the district court pursuant to SCR 5.010, or a domestic relations commissioner as approved by the Chief Justice. Master commissioners and deputy master commissioners shall be qualified as attorneys.
Rule 53.01.Appointments -- Deputies.
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceEach circuit court may appoint a master commissioner and a receiver as authorized by statute; any other master commissioners, deputy master commissioners, receivers, or assistants require the Chief Justice's express authority, and master commissioners and deputy master commissioners must be licensed attorneys who hold no other public office in the Court of Justice, apart from limited exceptions.
Full Text of Rule 53.01
Amendment History
(Adopted October 24, 1977, effective January 1, 1978; amended October 22, 1979, effective January 1, 1980; amended December 16, 1988, effective January 1, 1989; amended August 6, 1990, effective September 15, 1990; amended November 3, 2010, effective January 1, 2011.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 53.01 sets the ground rules for who can serve as a master commissioner, Kentucky's version of a court-appointed referee who handles specific judicial tasks for the circuit court. Every circuit court can appoint one master commissioner and one receiver on its own, as statute allows. Anything beyond that, additional master commissioners, deputy master commissioners, receivers, or assistants, needs sign-off from the Chief Justice.
The rule also limits who can hold the job. A master commissioner or deputy master commissioner can't hold any other public office within the Court of Justice, with two narrow exceptions: the same person may also serve as a trial commissioner for district court under SCR 5.010, or as a domestic relations commissioner if the Chief Justice approves. And the job itself requires a law license, master commissioners and deputy master commissioners must be qualified as attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who appoints a master commissioner in Kentucky?
Each circuit court may appoint a master commissioner and a receiver as authorized by statute. Appointing additional master commissioners, deputy master commissioners, receivers, or assistants requires the express authority of the Chief Justice.
Does a master commissioner have to be a lawyer?
Yes. Rule 53.01 requires master commissioners and deputy master commissioners to be qualified as attorneys.
Can a master commissioner hold another court position at the same time?
Generally no. Rule 53.01 bars a master commissioner or deputy master commissioner from holding any other public office of the Court of Justice, except that the same person may also serve as a trial commissioner for district court under SCR 5.010, or as a domestic relations commissioner with the Chief Justice's approval.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 53.01). 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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