Rule 89.Economical litigation docket.

Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceRule 89 defines the Economical Litigation Docket as covering contract, personal injury, property damage, property rights, and parental-rights-termination cases, and applies the regular Rules 1 through 87 and local rules to them except as Rules 89 through 97 modify that practice.

Full Text of Rule 89

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(1) The economical litigation docket shall consist of all cases falling substantially within the following categories:

(a) contracts;

(b) personal injury;

(d) property rights;

(e) termination of parental rights.

(2) Practice and procedure for cases on the economical litigation docket shall be governed by Rules 1 through 87 and the local rules of the trial court except as modified by Rules 89 through 97 relating to the economical litigation docket.

Amendment History

(Adopted September 10, 1982, effective October 1, 1982.)

Plain-English Summary

Rule 89 sets the boundaries of Kentucky's Economical Litigation Docket. It lists five categories of cases that belong on it: contracts, personal injury, property damage, property rights, and termination of parental rights. A case that falls substantially within one of these categories is handled on the streamlined docket rather than the standard civil track.

The rule also clarifies that the Economical Litigation Docket is not a separate rulebook. Cases on it still follow Rules 1 through 87 -- the general Rules of Civil Procedure -- along with the local rules of the trial court. Rules 89 through 97 layer on top of that foundation, changing specific pieces of practice such as scheduling, discovery, and motion practice. Everything the ELD rules do not address falls back on the regular rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of cases go on the Economical Litigation Docket?

Rule 89 places cases substantially involving contracts, personal injury, property damage, property rights, or termination of parental rights on the Economical Litigation Docket.

Do the regular Rules of Civil Procedure still apply on the ELD?

Yes. Rule 89 says ELD cases are governed by Rules 1 through 87 and the local rules of the trial court, except where Rules 89 through 97 modify that practice.

Is termination of parental rights handled on the Economical Litigation Docket?

Rule 89 lists termination of parental rights as one of the five case categories that fall within the Economical Litigation Docket.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 89). 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

Also known as: what cases qualify for the ELD in Kentuckyeconomical litigation docket categoriesCR 89 Kentuckystreamlined civil docket Kentuckytermination of parental rights ELD Kentuckycontract cases economical litigation docket