# CourtListener (remote · courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai)

MCP for CourtListener: US federal and state opinions, dockets, judges, plus eCFR regulations.

- Trust score: 67/100 (medium)
- Change this week: +4
- Registry status: active
- Liveness: live
- Owner verified: no
- Last scored: 2026-08-03

## Components

- remote · `courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai`: 67/100 (this document), [markdown](https://verifymcp.io/servers/vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp/courtlistener-mcp.md), [page](https://verifymcp.io/servers/vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp/courtlistener-mcp)

## Channel facts

- Endpoint: `https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/`
- Transports: `streamable-http`
- Auth: `required`
- Version: `0.1.0`

## Trust breakdown

How this component scores in each security and reliability category. Every signal is checked automatically against the live server, and we only credit what we can confirm. Scores are 0–100 per category. Scoring method: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring (what has changed: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring/changelog)

Scored 2026-08-03.

- **Endpoint Security**: 60/100
  - The endpoint's TLS certificate is valid, in date, and uses a strong key.
  - Authorisation not fully verified: no authorisation is required to call this server, and 34 tool(s) never declared a destructiveHint. The MCP spec treats an absent hint as destructive by default, so we cannot call this surface safe.
  - HTTPS is enforced; there's no plaintext access path.
  - HSTS check failed: the Strict-Transport-Security header is absent.
  - DNSSEC is configured correctly; the domain's records validate against the full chain to the root.
- **Transport & Reachability**: 100/100
  - Verified streamable-http transport via a live MCP handshake.
- **Schema Quality & AI Usability**: 70/100
  - AI-judged instruction clarity (good).
  - Tool/resource definitions use about 2987 tokens (~87/item across 34 items; 34 tools + 0 resources), lean.
  - Usage-examples check failed: none of the tools include examples.
- **Stability & Change Management**: 27/100
  - Stability observed for 8 of 30 days with no destabilising changes; credit accrues until the full window elapses.
- **Tool Coverage**: 100/100
  - 100% of tools have a non-trivial description (not blank, and not just the tool's name).
  - 100% of tool parameters carry a description.
  - Structured output schemas are declared (100% of tools); any adoption earns full credit.
- **Capabilities**: 100/100
  - Implements a supported MCP spec version (2025-11-25); the latest is 2026-07-28.

## Install

### Claude

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/
```

### Codex

```toml
[mcp_servers.vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp]
url = "https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/"
```

### opencode

```json
{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/",
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}
```

### OpenClaw

```bash
openclaw mcp add vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp --url https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/ --transport streamable-http
```

### Hermes

```yaml
mcp_servers:
  vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp:
    url: "https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/"
```

### Other

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/"
    }
  }
}
```

The mcpServers block is a cross-client convention. Remote transports vary, so check your client's docs.

## Changelog

Every change recorded for this component, newest first. Days that predate change tracking, or that we cannot explain, say so: "we were watching and nothing happened" and "we were not watching" are different claims.

### 2026-08-03 (score 67, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 23 to 27. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 7 days of observed history at the previous scan, 8 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-07-31 (score 66, +1)

- [functional] We updated how we score, so this day's move reflects our rubric, not a change to the server

### 2026-07-29 (score 65, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 7 to 10. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 2 days of observed history at the previous scan, 3 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-07-28 (score 64, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 3 to 7. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 1 days of observed history at the previous scan, 2 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-07-27 (score 63, 0)

- [functional] We updated how we score, so this day's move reflects our rubric, not a change to the server

### 2026-07-26 (score 63)

First indexed and scored.

## MCP tools (34)

### `status` (~33 tokens)

Check the status of the CourtListener MCP server.

Returns:
    A dictionary containing server status, system metrics, and service information.

### `search_opinions` (~195 tokens)

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

Input parameters:

- `case_name`: Filter by case name
- `cited_gt`: Minimum number of times opinion has been cited
- `cited_lt`: Maximum number of times opinion has been cited
- `court`: Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')
- `cursor`: Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor
- `filed_after`: Only show opinions filed after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `filed_before`: Only show opinions filed before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `judge`: Filter by judge name
- `limit` (integer): Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)
- `order_by` (string): Sort by 'score desc', 'dateFiled desc', or 'dateFiled asc'
- `q` (string, required): Search query for full text of opinions

### `search_dockets` (~182 tokens)

Search federal cases (dockets) from PACER in CourtListener.

Input parameters:

- `case_name`: Filter by case name
- `court`: Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')
- `cursor`: Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor
- `date_filed_after`: Filter dockets filed after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `date_filed_before`: Filter dockets filed before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `docket_number`: Specific docket number to search for
- `limit` (integer): Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)
- `order_by` (string): Sort by 'score desc', 'dateFiled desc', or 'dateFiled asc'
- `party_name`: Filter by party name
- `q` (string, required): Search query for docket text

### `search_dockets_with_documents` (~201 tokens)

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.

Input parameters:

- `case_name`: Filter by case name
- `court`: Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')
- `cursor`: Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor
- `date_filed_after`: Filter dockets filed after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `date_filed_before`: Filter dockets filed before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `docket_number`: Specific docket number to search for
- `limit` (integer): Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)
- `order_by` (string): Sort by 'score desc', 'dateFiled desc', or 'dateFiled asc'
- `party_name`: Filter by party name
- `q` (string, required): Search query for federal cases

### `search_recap_documents` (~202 tokens)

Search federal filing documents from PACER in the RECAP archive.

Input parameters:

- `attachment_number`: Specific attachment number to search for
- `case_name`: Filter by case name
- `court`: Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')
- `cursor`: Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor
- `docket_number`: Specific docket number to search for
- `document_number`: Specific document number to search for
- `filed_after`: Filter documents filed after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `filed_before`: Filter documents filed before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `limit` (integer): Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)
- `order_by` (string): Sort by 'score desc', 'dateFiled desc', or 'dateFiled asc'
- `party_name`: Filter by party name
- `q` (string, required): Search query for RECAP filing documents

### `search_audio` (~158 tokens)

Search oral argument audio recordings in CourtListener.

Input parameters:

- `argued_after`: Filter arguments after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `argued_before`: Filter arguments before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `case_name`: Filter by case name
- `court`: Court ID filter (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')
- `cursor`: Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor
- `judge`: Filter by judge name
- `limit` (integer): Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)
- `order_by` (string): Sort by 'score desc', 'dateArgued desc', or 'dateArgued asc'
- `q` (string, required): Search query for oral argument audio

### `search_people` (~154 tokens)

Search judges and legal professionals in the CourtListener database.

Input parameters:

- `appointed_by`: Filter by appointing authority
- `cursor`: Pagination cursor from a prior response's next_cursor
- `limit` (integer): Max results from this page (upper bound; CL pages ~20)
- `name`: Filter by person's name
- `order_by` (string): Sort by 'score desc' or 'name asc'
- `political_affiliation`: Filter by political affiliation
- `position_type`: Filter by position type (e.g., 'jud' for judge)
- `q` (string, required): Search query for judges and legal professionals
- `school`: Filter by school attended
- `selection_method`: Filter by selection method

### `get_opinion` (~33 tokens)

Get a specific court opinion by ID from CourtListener.

Input parameters:

- `opinion_id` (string, required): The opinion ID to retrieve

### `get_docket` (~33 tokens)

Get a specific court docket by ID from CourtListener.

Input parameters:

- `docket_id` (string, required): The docket ID to retrieve

### `get_audio` (~33 tokens)

Get oral argument audio information by ID from CourtListener.

Input parameters:

- `audio_id` (string, required): The audio recording ID to retrieve

### `get_cluster` (~32 tokens)

Get an opinion cluster by ID from CourtListener.

Input parameters:

- `cluster_id` (string, required): The opinion cluster ID to retrieve

### `get_person` (~36 tokens)

Get judge or legal professional information by ID from CourtListener.

Input parameters:

- `person_id` (string, required): The person (judge) ID to retrieve

### `get_court` (~42 tokens)

Get court information by ID from CourtListener.

Input parameters:

- `court_id` (string, required): The court ID to retrieve (e.g., 'scotus', 'ca9')

### `citation_lookup_citation` (~120 tokens)

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")
\- State reporter citations

Input parameters:

- `citation` (string, required): The citation to look up (e.g., '410 U.S. 113', '2023 WL 12345')

### `citation_batch_lookup_citations` (~60 tokens)

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.

Input parameters:

- `citations` (array, required): List of citations to look up (max 100)

### `citation_verify_citation_format` (~87 tokens)

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 regex matching.

Returns information about the citation format and any detected issues.

Input parameters:

- `citation` (string, required): The citation to verify

### `citation_parse_citation_with_citeurl` (~137 tokens)

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 including:
\- Recognized citation format and source
\- Extracted tokens (volume, reporter, page, etc.)
\- Generated URL if available
\- Normalized citation text

Input parameters:

- `broad` (boolean): Use broad matching for more flexible parsing
- `citation` (string, required): The citation to parse (e.g., '410 U.S. 113', '42 USC § 1988')

### `citation_extract_citations_from_text` (~66 tokens)

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).

Input parameters:

- `text` (string, required): Text containing legal citations to extract

### `citation_enhanced_citation_lookup` (~83 tokens)

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.

Input parameters:

- `citation` (string, required): The citation to look up and analyze
- `include_courtlistener` (boolean): Whether to also perform CourtListener API lookup

### `ecfr_list_titles` (~26 tokens)

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

### `ecfr_get_title_versions` (~39 tokens)

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

Input parameters:

- `title` (integer, required): CFR title number (1-50)

### `ecfr_get_title_structure` (~56 tokens)

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

Input parameters:

- `date` (string, required): Snapshot date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `title` (integer, required): CFR title number (1-50)

### `ecfr_get_ancestry` (~92 tokens)

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

Input parameters:

- `date` (string, required): Snapshot date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `part`: Restrict to a part, e.g. '75'
- `section`: Restrict to a section, e.g. '75.1'
- `title` (integer, required): CFR title number (1-50)

### `ecfr_get_source_xml` (~201 tokens)

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``.

Input parameters:

- `appendix`: Appendix identifier
- `chapter`: Chapter, e.g. 'I'
- `date` (string, required): Snapshot date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `part`: Part to fetch, e.g. '75'. STRONGLY recommended: whole-title fetches can time out.
- `section`: Section, e.g. '75.1'
- `subchapter`: Subchapter, e.g. 'B'
- `subpart`: Subpart, e.g. 'C'
- `subtitle`: Subtitle, e.g. 'A'
- `title` (integer, required): CFR title number (1-50)

### `ecfr_list_agencies` (~27 tokens)

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

### `ecfr_list_all_corrections` (~54 tokens)

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

Input parameters:

- `date`: Corrections in effect on this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `title`: Restrict to a CFR title number

### `ecfr_list_corrections_by_title` (~37 tokens)

List all corrections for a single CFR title.

Input parameters:

- `title` (integer, required): CFR title number (1-50)

### `ecfr_search_regulations` (~136 tokens)

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

Input parameters:

- `agency_slugs`: Restrict to one or more agency slugs (from list_agencies)
- `date`: Search the CFR as of this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `order`: Sort order: 'relevance', 'hierarchy', 'newest_first', 'oldest_first'
- `page` (integer): Page number
- `per_page` (integer): Results per page (max 20)
- `query` (string, required): Full-text search query over the CFR
- `title`: Restrict to a CFR title number

### `ecfr_get_search_count` (~72 tokens)

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

Input parameters:

- `agency_slugs`: Restrict to agency slugs
- `date`: As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `query` (string, required): Full-text search query over the CFR
- `title`: Restrict to a title

### `ecfr_get_search_summary` (~74 tokens)

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

Input parameters:

- `agency_slugs`: Restrict to agency slugs
- `date`: As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `query` (string, required): Full-text search query over the CFR
- `title`: Restrict to a title

### `ecfr_get_title_search_counts` (~48 tokens)

Get search result counts broken down by CFR title.

Input parameters:

- `date`: As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `query` (string, required): Full-text search query over the CFR

### `ecfr_get_daily_search_counts` (~50 tokens)

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

Input parameters:

- `date`: As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `query` (string, required): Full-text search query over the CFR

### `ecfr_get_hierarchy_search_counts` (~49 tokens)

Get search result counts distributed across the CFR hierarchy.

Input parameters:

- `date`: As-of date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- `query` (string, required): Full-text search query over the CFR

### `ecfr_get_search_suggestions` (~35 tokens)

Get search-term suggestions for a partial CFR query.

Input parameters:

- `query` (string, required): Partial query to get suggestions for

## Diagnostics

Captured diagnostic sections: TLS, DNSSEC, Authorisation, Transports. The full working is on the page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp/courtlistener-mcp#diagnostics

## Score history

- 2026-08-03: 67
- 2026-08-02: 66
- 2026-08-01: 66
- 2026-07-31: 66
- 2026-07-30: 65
- 2026-07-29: 65
- 2026-07-28: 64
- 2026-07-27: 63
- 2026-07-26: 63

## Links

- Remote endpoint: https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/mcp/
- Authorisation metadata: https://courtlistener-mcp.vaquill.ai/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource/mcp
- Repository: https://github.com/Vaquill-AI/courtlistener-mcp
- Changelog RSS feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp/courtlistener-mcp/changelog.xml
- Changelog JSON feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp/courtlistener-mcp/changelog.json
- HTML version of this page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/vaquill-ai-courtlistener-mcp/courtlistener-mcp