Kentucky Consent and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge is a legal document used in the state of Kentucky to allow for the transfer of a civil action to a Magistrate Judge for adjudication. This document is typically used when the parties to the civil action agree to have the Magistrate Judge preside over the case instead of a state or federal court. There are two types of Kentucky Consent and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge: voluntary and involuntary. A voluntary Consent and Reference is initiated when the parties to the civil action mutually agree to refer the case to a Magistrate Judge. This type of consent must be signed by all parties to the civil action and submitted to the court. Involuntary Consent and Reference is initiated when one party to the civil action requests a transfer of the case to a Magistrate Judge and the other party does not agree. The requesting party must file a Motion to Refer the Case to a Magistrate Judge, which must be approved by the court before the case can be referred to the Magistrate Judge. In either case, the Magistrate Judge will have the same authority as a state or federal court judge to decide the civil action, including the ability to make binding rulings, issue orders, and enter final judgments.