KRS 26A.020: Designation of retired justice or judge as special judge.

(1) When, from any cause, a judge of any Circuit or District Court fails to attend, or

being in attendance cannot properly preside in an action pending in the court, or if a

vacancy occurs or exists in the office of circuit or district judge, the circuit clerk

shall at once certify the facts to the Chief Justice who shall immediately designate a

regular or retired justice or judge of the Court of Justice as special judge. If either

party files with the circuit clerk his affidavit that the judge will not afford him a fair

and impartial trial, or will not impartially decide an application for a change of

venue, the circuit clerk shall at once certify the facts to the Chief Justice who shall

immediately review the facts and determine whether to designate a regular or retired

justice or judge of the Court of Justice as special judge. Any special judge so

selected shall have all the powers and responsibilities of a regular judge of the court.

(2) A retired justice or judge serving as a special judge shall be compensat ed as

provided by KRS 21A.110.