CourtListener

vaquill-ai/courtlistener-mcp

Connects Claude to CourtListener's v4 API and the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, giving you programmatic access to US federal and state court opinions, dockets, RECAP filings, oral arguments, judge profiles, and live eCFR regulations. You get 25+ tools spanning search, citation parsing, batch lookup, and regulatory text retrieval. The Vaquill team runs a public HTTPS endpoint where you bring your own free CourtListener token via custom headers, so there's no local install required for Claude Desktop, Cursor, or VS Code. Useful when you're building legal research workflows, need to verify citations in context, or want to pull current CFR text without leaving your editor.

GitHub stars: 1
tools: 34
auth: Secret needed
transport: HTTP
last updated: May 15, 2026

View on GitHub

Install

From registry metadata

$ npx add-mcp https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/ --name courtlistener-mcp --header 'X-CourtListener-Token: ${X_COURTLISTENER_TOKEN}'

Run in your terminal. add-mcp asks which agents to add it to, then asks for each value it needs. Add -g to install it for every project.

Review the command, arguments and environment values before installing. MCP servers run with your local permissions.

Other ways

Claude Code

$ claude mcp add --transport http courtlistener-mcp https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/ --header 'X-CourtListener-Token: YOUR_X_COURTLISTENER_TOKEN'

Run in your terminal. Add --scope user to make it available in every project.

Tools

Verified live · 34 tools

Verified live against the running server on Nov 6, 2026.

statusCheck the status of the CourtListener MCP server. Returns: A dictionary containing server status, system metrics, and service information.

Check the status of the CourtListener MCP server. Returns: A dictionary containing server status, system metrics, and service information.

No parameters. Call it with no arguments.

search_opinionsSearch case law opinion clusters with nested Opinion documents in CourtListener.11 params

Search case law opinion clusters with nested Opinion documents in CourtListener.

Parameters* required

case_namevalue

Filter by case name

cited_gtvalue

Minimum number of times opinion has been cited

cited_ltvalue

Maximum number of times opinion has been cited

courtvalue

Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')

cursorvalue

Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor

filed_aftervalue

Only show opinions filed after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

filed_beforevalue

Only show opinions filed before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

judgevalue

Filter by judge name

limitinteger

Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)default: 20

order_bystring

Sort by 'score desc', 'dateFiled desc', or 'dateFiled asc'default: score desc

q*string

Search query for full text of opinions

search_docketsSearch federal cases (dockets) from PACER in CourtListener.10 params

Search federal cases (dockets) from PACER in CourtListener.

Parameters* required

case_namevalue

Filter by case name

courtvalue

Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')

cursorvalue

Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor

date_filed_aftervalue

Filter dockets filed after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

date_filed_beforevalue

Filter dockets filed before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

docket_numbervalue

Specific docket number to search for

limitinteger

Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)default: 20

order_bystring

Sort by 'score desc', 'dateFiled desc', or 'dateFiled asc'default: score desc

party_namevalue

Filter by party name

q*string

Search query for docket text

search_dockets_with_documentsSearch federal cases (dockets) with up to three nested documents. If there are more than three matching documents, the more_docs field will be true.10 params

Search federal cases (dockets) with up to three nested documents. If there are more than three matching documents, the more_docs field will be true.

Parameters* required

case_namevalue

Filter by case name

courtvalue

Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')

cursorvalue

Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor

date_filed_aftervalue

Filter dockets filed after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

date_filed_beforevalue

Filter dockets filed before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

docket_numbervalue

Specific docket number to search for

limitinteger

Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)default: 20

order_bystring

Sort by 'score desc', 'dateFiled desc', or 'dateFiled asc'default: score desc

party_namevalue

Filter by party name

q*string

Search query for federal cases

search_recap_documentsSearch federal filing documents from PACER in the RECAP archive.12 params

Search federal filing documents from PACER in the RECAP archive.

Parameters* required

attachment_numbervalue

Specific attachment number to search for

case_namevalue

Filter by case name

courtvalue

Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')

cursorvalue

Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor

docket_numbervalue

Specific docket number to search for

document_numbervalue

Specific document number to search for

filed_aftervalue

Filter documents filed after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

filed_beforevalue

Filter documents filed before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

limitinteger

Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)default: 20

order_bystring

Sort by 'score desc', 'dateFiled desc', or 'dateFiled asc'default: score desc

party_namevalue

Filter by party name

q*string

Search query for RECAP filing documents

search_audioSearch oral argument audio recordings in CourtListener.9 params

Search oral argument audio recordings in CourtListener.

Parameters* required

argued_aftervalue

Filter arguments after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

argued_beforevalue

Filter arguments before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

case_namevalue

Filter by case name

courtvalue

Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')

cursorvalue

Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor

judgevalue

Filter by judge name

limitinteger

Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)default: 20

order_bystring

Sort by 'score desc', 'dateArgued desc', or 'dateArgued asc'default: score desc

q*string

Search query for oral argument audio

search_peopleSearch judges and legal professionals in the CourtListener database.10 params

Search judges and legal professionals in the CourtListener database.

Parameters* required

appointed_byvalue

Filter by appointing authority

cursorvalue

Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor

limitinteger

Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)default: 20

namevalue

Filter by person's name

order_bystring

Sort by 'score desc' or 'name asc'default: score desc

political_affiliationvalue

Filter by political affiliation

position_typevalue

Filter by position type (e.g., 'jud' for judge)

q*string

Search query for judges and legal professionals

schoolvalue

Filter by school attended

selection_methodvalue

Filter by selection method

get_opinionGet a specific court opinion by ID from CourtListener.1 params

Get a specific court opinion by ID from CourtListener.

Parameters* required

opinion_id*string

The opinion ID to retrieve

get_docketGet a specific court docket by ID from CourtListener.1 params

Get a specific court docket by ID from CourtListener.

Parameters* required

docket_id*string

The docket ID to retrieve

get_audioGet oral argument audio information by ID from CourtListener.1 params

Get oral argument audio information by ID from CourtListener.

Parameters* required

audio_id*string

The audio recording ID to retrieve

get_clusterGet an opinion cluster by ID from CourtListener.1 params

Get an opinion cluster by ID from CourtListener.

Parameters* required

cluster_id*string

The opinion cluster ID to retrieve

get_personGet judge or legal professional information by ID from CourtListener.1 params

Get judge or legal professional information by ID from CourtListener.

Parameters* required

person_id*string

The person (judge) ID to retrieve

get_courtGet court information by ID from CourtListener.1 params

Get court information by ID from CourtListener.

Parameters* required

court_id*string

The court ID to retrieve (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')

citation_lookup_citationLook up a legal citation to find the opinion it references in CourtListener. This tool accepts various citation formats including: - U.S. Reporter citations (e.g., "410 U.S. 113") - Federal Reporter citations (e.g., "123 F.3d 456") - WestLaw citations (e.g., "2023 WL 12345") -...1 params

Look up a legal citation to find the opinion it references in CourtListener. This tool accepts various citation formats including: - U.S. Reporter citations (e.g., "410 U.S. 113") - Federal Reporter citations (e.g., "123 F.3d 456") - WestLaw citations (e.g., "2023 WL 12345") -...

Parameters* required

citation*string

The citation to look up (e.g., '410 U.S. 113', '2023 WL 12345')

citation_batch_lookup_citationsLook up multiple legal citations in a single request. This is more efficient than making individual requests for each citation. Accepts up to 100 citations at once.1 params

Look up multiple legal citations in a single request. This is more efficient than making individual requests for each citation. Accepts up to 100 citations at once.

Parameters* required

citations*array

List of citations to look up (max 100)

citation_verify_citation_formatVerify if a citation string is in a valid format using citeurl's advanced parsing. This tool performs validation using citeurl's comprehensive citation templates to check if a citation appears to be in a recognized legal citation format. This is much more accurate than simple...1 params

Verify if a citation string is in a valid format using citeurl's advanced parsing. This tool performs validation using citeurl's comprehensive citation templates to check if a citation appears to be in a recognized legal citation format. This is much more accurate than simple...

Parameters* required

citation*string

The citation to verify

citation_parse_citation_with_citeurlParse a legal citation using citeurl's advanced citation recognition. This tool uses the citeurl library to parse legal citations and extract structured information including tokens, normalized format, and URL generation. Returns detailed information about the citation includi...2 params

Parse a legal citation using citeurl's advanced citation recognition. This tool uses the citeurl library to parse legal citations and extract structured information including tokens, normalized format, and URL generation. Returns detailed information about the citation includi...

Parameters* required

broadboolean

Use broad matching for more flexible parsingdefault: true

citation*string

The citation to parse (e.g., '410 U.S. 113', '42 USC § 1988')

citation_extract_citations_from_textExtract all legal citations from a block of text using citeurl. This tool finds and parses all legal citations within a given text, including both long-form and short-form citations (like 'id.' references).1 params

Extract all legal citations from a block of text using citeurl. This tool finds and parses all legal citations within a given text, including both long-form and short-form citations (like 'id.' references).

Parameters* required

text*string

Text containing legal citations to extract

citation_enhanced_citation_lookupEnhanced citation lookup combining citeurl parsing with CourtListener data. This tool first uses citeurl to parse and validate the citation format, then optionally queries the CourtListener API for additional case information.2 params

Enhanced citation lookup combining citeurl parsing with CourtListener data. This tool first uses citeurl to parse and validate the citation format, then optionally queries the CourtListener API for additional case information.

Parameters* required

citation*string

The citation to look up and analyze

include_courtlistenerboolean

Whether to also perform CourtListener API lookupdefault: true

ecfr_list_titlesList all 50 CFR titles with their latest amended/issue dates and status.

List all 50 CFR titles with their latest amended/issue dates and status.

No parameters. Call it with no arguments.

ecfr_get_title_versionsList the available content versions (issue dates) for one CFR title.1 params

List the available content versions (issue dates) for one CFR title.

Parameters* required

title*integer

CFR title number (1-50)

ecfr_get_title_structureGet the full hierarchical structure (title -> section) of a CFR title on a date.2 params

Get the full hierarchical structure (title -> section) of a CFR title on a date.

Parameters* required

date*string

Snapshot date (YYYY-MM-DD)

title*integer

CFR title number (1-50)

ecfr_get_ancestryGet the ancestry chain (title -> ... -> node) for a CFR node on a date.4 params

Get the ancestry chain (title -> ... -> node) for a CFR node on a date.

Parameters* required

date*string

Snapshot date (YYYY-MM-DD)

partvalue

Restrict to a part, e.g. '75'

sectionvalue

Restrict to a section, e.g. '75.1'

title*integer

CFR title number (1-50)

ecfr_get_source_xmlFetch the source regulation TEXT (XML) for a CFR node on a snapshot date. Pass a part or section to scope the request. Fetching an entire large title at once can time out on the eCFR side, so narrowing is strongly recommended. Returns the raw XML under ``content_xml``.9 params

Fetch the source regulation TEXT (XML) for a CFR node on a snapshot date. Pass a part or section to scope the request. Fetching an entire large title at once can time out on the eCFR side, so narrowing is strongly recommended. Returns the raw XML under ``content_xml``.

Parameters* required

appendixvalue

Appendix identifier

chaptervalue

Chapter, e.g. 'I'

date*string

Snapshot date (YYYY-MM-DD)

partvalue

Part to fetch, e.g. '75'. STRONGLY recommended: whole-title fetches can time out.

sectionvalue

Section, e.g. '75.1'

subchaptervalue

Subchapter, e.g. 'B'

subpartvalue

Subpart, e.g. 'C'

subtitlevalue

Subtitle, e.g. 'A'

title*integer

CFR title number (1-50)

ecfr_list_agenciesList all agencies that appear in the CFR, with their title/chapter references.

List all agencies that appear in the CFR, with their title/chapter references.

No parameters. Call it with no arguments.

ecfr_list_all_correctionsList CFR corrections, optionally filtered by title and/or effective date.2 params

List CFR corrections, optionally filtered by title and/or effective date.

Parameters* required

datevalue

Corrections in effect on this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

titlevalue

Restrict to a CFR title number

ecfr_list_corrections_by_titleList all corrections for a single CFR title.1 params

List all corrections for a single CFR title.

Parameters* required

title*integer

CFR title number (1-50)

ecfr_search_regulationsFull-text search over federal regulations, returning matching sections with hierarchy.7 params

Full-text search over federal regulations, returning matching sections with hierarchy.

Parameters* required

agency_slugsvalue

Restrict to one or more agency slugs (from list_agencies)

datevalue

Search the CFR as of this date (YYYY-MM-DD)

ordervalue

Sort order: 'relevance', 'hierarchy', 'newest_first', 'oldest_first'

pageinteger

Page numberdefault: 1

per_pageinteger

Results per page (max 20)default: 20

query*string

Full-text search query over the CFR

titlevalue

Restrict to a CFR title number

ecfr_get_search_countGet the total number of CFR sections matching a search query.4 params

Get the total number of CFR sections matching a search query.

Parameters* required

agency_slugsvalue

Restrict to agency slugs

datevalue

As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)

query*string

Full-text search query over the CFR

titlevalue

Restrict to a title

ecfr_get_search_summaryGet summary details (counts + metadata) for a CFR search query.4 params

Get summary details (counts + metadata) for a CFR search query.

Parameters* required

agency_slugsvalue

Restrict to agency slugs

datevalue

As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)

query*string

Full-text search query over the CFR

titlevalue

Restrict to a title

ecfr_get_title_search_countsGet search result counts broken down by CFR title.2 params

Get search result counts broken down by CFR title.

Parameters* required

datevalue

As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)

query*string

Full-text search query over the CFR

ecfr_get_daily_search_countsGet search result counts broken down by date (daily histogram).2 params

Get search result counts broken down by date (daily histogram).

Parameters* required

datevalue

As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)

query*string

Full-text search query over the CFR

ecfr_get_hierarchy_search_countsGet search result counts distributed across the CFR hierarchy.2 params

Get search result counts distributed across the CFR hierarchy.

Parameters* required

datevalue

As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)

query*string

Full-text search query over the CFR

ecfr_get_search_suggestionsGet search-term suggestions for a partial CFR query.1 params

Get search-term suggestions for a partial CFR query.

Parameters* required

query*string

Partial query to get suggestions for

Readme

CourtListener MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol server that gives AI assistants access to the CourtListener legal database (US federal + state court opinions, dockets, RECAP filings, PACER data, oral arguments, judges) and the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations via the official CourtListener API v4.

Use it with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, ChatGPT Desktop, or any MCP-compatible client.

Forked from Travis-Prall/court-listener-mcp. This fork adds a hosted endpoint, bring-your-own-key (BYOK) auth, a /health route, Dockerfile hardening, a full eCFR (federal regulations) tool suite, cursor pagination, per-client rate limiting, and read-only tool annotations. See the changelog for details.

When to use this vs. the official server

View the full README on GitHub

Details

Repository: github.com/vaquill-ai/courtlistener-mcp
Transport: HTTP
Auth: Required
Registry: MCP registry, active
Tools verified: Nov 6, 2026

CourtListener

Install

Tools

Readme

CourtListener MCP Server

When to use this vs. the official server

Details

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