CourtListener Legal Research MCP Server

# CourtListener Legal Research MCP Server A powerful MCP server for legal research across **3,352 U.S. courts** using the CourtListener API. [](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@khizar-anjum/courtlistener-mcp) [](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@khizar-anjum/courtlistener-mcp) [](./LICENSE) [](https://github.com/khizar-anjum/courtlistener-mcp/actions) 📦 **Available on:** [npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@khizar-anjum/courtlistener-mcp) | [Smithery](https://smithery.ai/server/@khizar-anjum/courtlistener-mcp) **Disclaimer:** This is an independent personal project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by CourtListener or the Free Law Project.  **Built using the [CourtListener API](https://www.courtlistener.com/)** - An open legal database democratizing access to court data with exceptional API documentation and comprehensive coverage of the U.S. legal system. ## Quick Start ```bash # Install from npm npm install @khizar-anjum/courtlistener-mcp # Or install from source git clone https://github.com/khizar-anjum/courtlistener-mcp.git cd courtlistener-mcp npm install # Setup echo 'COURTLISTENER_API_KEY="your_api_key"' > .env npm run generate-courts # Build and run npm run build npm run dev ``` Get your free API key from: https://www.courtlistener.com/api/ > 💡 **About the CourtListener API**: A non-profit legal database providing free access to millions of legal documents, court opinions, and PACER data. The API's excellent documentation and comprehensive data coverage make legal research accessible to everyone. ## Available Tools ### **Core Legal Research Tools** *Accesses CourtListener's opinion database - all 3,352 courts* #### 🔍 search_cases_by_problem Find relevant cases using natural language legal problems - **Parameters**: `search_keywords[]`, `jurisdiction`, `case_type`, `date_range`, `limit` #### 📋 get_case_details Deep dive into specific cases with full opinion text - **Parameters**: `case_id`, `include_full_text` #### 🔗 find_similar_precedents Discover cases with similar legal reasoning - **Parameters**: `reference_case_id`, `jurisdiction`, `legal_concepts`, `limit` #### 📊 analyze_case_outcomes Analyze outcome patterns for success prediction - **Parameters**: `case_type`, `jurisdiction`, `court_level`, `date_range` #### ⚖️ get_judge_analysis Understand judge's ruling patterns for strategy - **Parameters**: `judge_name`, `case_type`, `court`, `jurisdiction` #### ✅ validate_citations Verify and expand legal citations - **Parameters**: `citations[]`, `context_text`, `jurisdiction` #### 📝 get_procedural_requirements Find filing requirements and court rules - **Parameters**: `case_type`, `jurisdiction`, `court`, `claim_amount` #### 📈 track_legal_trends Identify trends in case law - **Parameters**: `legal_area`, `time_period`, `trend_type` ### **RECAP Archive Integration** 🔒 *Federal PACER data accessed via CourtListener's RECAP Archive* > **Premium Access**: Some functions require a CourtListener premium subscription > - 🔒 **PREMIUM REQUIRED** | 📊 **BASIC ACCESS** #### 📊 search_pacer_dockets (Basic) Search federal court dockets from PACER using full-text search - **Parameters**: `case_name`, `court`, `date_range`, `party_name`, `nature_of_suit` - **Functionality**: Uses proper search API endpoint for accurate, relevant results #### 📊 search_parties_attorneys (Basic) Track attorney representation patterns - **Parameters**: `party_name`, `attorney_name`, `firm_name`, `court`, `date_range` #### 📊 track_case_status (Basic) Monitor case status and recent activity - **Parameters**: `docket_id`, `include_recent_activity`, `status_history` #### 🔒 get_docket_entries (Premium) Detailed timeline of case filings and orders - **Parameters**: `docket_id`, `entry_type`, `limit` #### 🔒 analyze_case_timeline (Premium) Deep case progression analysis with activity patterns - **Parameters**: `docket_id`, `analysis_type`, `include_documents` #### 🔒 get_case_documents (Premium) Access documents with full text extraction - **Parameters**: `docket_id`, `document_type`, `include_text`, `limit` ## Available Resources Browse via MCP client: - `courtlistener://courts/all` - All 3,352 courts - `courtlistener://courts/federal` - Federal courts - `courtlistener://courts/state` - State courts - `courtlistener://courts/state-{state}` - State-specific courts - `courtlistener://jurisdictions/court-mappings` - Jurisdiction mappings ## Jurisdiction Options | Input | Description | Example | |-------|-------------|---------| | `"all"` | All courts | Search nationwide | | `"federal"` | Federal courts | Circuit, District courts | | `"california"` | State courts | All CA courts | | `"scotus"` | Specific court | Supreme Court | | `"ca9,nysd"` | Multiple courts | 9th Circuit + NY Southern | ## MCP Client Setup Add to Claude Desktop or MCP client: ```json { "mcpServers": { "courtlistener": { "command": "node", "args": ["/path/to/courtlistener-mcp/.smithery/index.ts"], "env": { "COURTLISTENER_API_KEY": "your_api_key" } } } } ``` ## Usage Examples ### Case Research Workflow ```javascript // 1. Search for cases { "tool": "search_cases_by_problem", "arguments": { "search_keywords": ["breach of warranty", "defective product"], "jurisdiction": "california", "case_type": "warranty" } } // 2. Get case details { "tool": "get_case_details", "arguments": { "case_id": "12345", "include_full_text": false } } // 3. Find similar cases { "tool": "find_similar_precedents", "arguments": { "reference_case_id": "12345", "jurisdiction": "federal" } } ``` ### PACER Research (Premium) ```javascript // Search PACER dockets { "tool": "search_pacer_dockets", "arguments": { "nature_of_suit": "contract", "court": "federal" } } // Analyze case timeline (Premium) { "tool": "analyze_case_timeline", "arguments": { "docket_id": "67890", "analysis_type": "all" } } ``` ## Contributing We welcome contributions! Please see [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines on how to submit improvements, bug fixes, and new features. ### API Rate Limits - **Authenticated**: 5,000 requests/hour - **Unauthenticated**: 100 requests/day ## Premium Access Basic API access provides all Core Legal Research tools plus limited PACER metadata. Premium access unlocks: - Detailed docket entry analysis - Full document text extraction - Comprehensive timeline analysis - Advanced litigation intelligence Get premium access: https://www.courtlistener.com/help/api/rest/ ## Acknowledgments This independent project uses the [CourtListener API](https://www.courtlistener.com/), created by the Free Law Project, a non-profit organization. We acknowledge and appreciate: - **Their API Design**: Clear, well-documented REST API with comprehensive field coverage - **Open Legal Data**: Free access to millions of court opinions, dockets, and legal documents - **RECAP Archive**: Democratizing access to PACER federal court data - **Community Impact**: Making legal research accessible beyond expensive commercial databases Consider supporting their mission: [Free Law Project](https://free.law/) ## License MIT