Which court has jurisdiction over civil actions instituted by the department?

The correct answer is that the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil actions instituted by the department. In Kentucky, the Circuit Courts are the trial courts that handle a variety of civil and criminal matters. They have original jurisdiction over most civil cases, including those initiated by governmental departments or agencies.

This means that when a department, such as a regulatory or administrative agency, initiates a civil action (for example, actions related to licensing or violations of state laws), it is typically filed in the Circuit Court.

While the District Court handles smaller civil claims and minor criminal matters, and the Appellate Court and the Supreme Court focus on appeals rather than original civil actions, the appropriate venue for civil matters initiated by departments is indeed the Circuit Court due to its broader jurisdictional authority.