# RECAP Federal Court Dockets - PACER Case Search (`pink_comic/recap-federal-court-dockets`) Actor Search RECAP/CourtListener for federal court dockets and PACER case records. Find cases by party name, case number, or court. Get docket entries, filing dates, and document links without PACER fees. For litigation research, due diligence, and legal analytics. Pay per result. - **URL**: https://apify.com/pink\_comic/recap-federal-court-dockets.md - **Developed by:** [Ava Torres](https://apify.com/pink_comic) (community) - **Categories:** Lead generation, Automation, AI - **Stats:** 4 total users, 2 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $2.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Federal Court Dockets - Bankruptcy & Civil Case Search (RECAP Archive) Search over 100 million federal court docket entries from the [CourtListener RECAP Archive](https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/). Find bankruptcy filings, civil suits, and district court cases by keyword, court, date range, and nature of suit. Ideal for credit risk analysis, collections due diligence, litigation monitoring, and compliance workflows. No API key required. Data is free and public. ### Who Uses This **Credit & Collections Teams** Run a debtor's name before extending credit or acquiring a debt portfolio. Uncover active Chapter 7, Chapter 11, or Chapter 13 filings, identify prior discharge orders, and check whether assets are subject to automatic stay. Faster than pulling a Pacer report manually for each name. **Due Diligence & M&A** Screen acquisition targets and counterparties for undisclosed litigation exposure. Identify pending civil suits, judgment creditors, and bankruptcy history across all federal districts. Flag material litigation risk before closing. **Legal & Compliance Monitoring** Track new filings in specific courts or against named parties. Set up recurring runs to monitor bankruptcy filings in key markets or track litigation activity for portfolio companies. **Collections & Debt Recovery** Identify debtors in active bankruptcy proceedings before pursuing collections actions. Avoid automatic stay violations by checking court records before contact. ### Input | Field | Description | Example | |-------|-------------|---------| | query | Keyword search (company name, keyword, attorney) | `"Acme Corp"` | | court | Federal court ID | `"nysb"` (S.D.N.Y. Bankruptcy), `"txsb"` (S.D. Tex. Bankruptcy) | | caseName | Filter by case name | `"Smith v. Jones"` | | dateFiledFrom | Cases filed on or after (YYYY-MM-DD) | `"2024-01-01"` | | dateFiledTo | Cases filed on or before (YYYY-MM-DD) | `"2024-12-31"` | | natureOfSuit | Nature of suit classification | `"Bankruptcy"`, `"Contract"`, `"Patent"` | | maxResults | Max dockets to return (1โ€“5000) | `100` | #### Common Court IDs | Court ID | Court | |----------|-------| | `nysb` | Bankruptcy Court, S.D. New York | | `txsb` | Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Texas | | `deb` | Bankruptcy Court, Delaware | | `cacd` | District Court, C.D. California | | `nysd` | District Court, S.D. New York | | `txsd` | District Court, S.D. Texas | | `ilnb` | Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Illinois | | `njb` | Bankruptcy Court, New Jersey | Full list at [CourtListener court IDs](https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/courts/?type=f). ### Output Each docket record includes: | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | `caseName` | Full case name (e.g. "In re Acme Corp") | | `caseNumber` | Docket number (e.g. "23-10001") | | `court` | Full court name | | `courtId` | Court identifier | | `dateFiled` | Date case was filed | | `dateTerminated` | Date case closed (empty if active) | | `natureOfSuit` | Nature of suit classification | | `cause` | Cause of action | | `juryDemand` | Jury demand status | | `jurisdictionType` | Jurisdiction type | | `parties` | List of party names | | `attorneys` | List of attorney names | | `docketEntriesCount` | Number of docket entries in RECAP | | `docketUrl` | Link to the full docket on CourtListener | ### Example Output ```json { "caseName": "In re Acme Holdings LLC", "caseNumber": "23-11234", "court": "Bankr.S.D.N.Y.", "courtId": "nysb", "dateFiled": "2023-04-15", "dateTerminated": "", "natureOfSuit": "Bankruptcy", "cause": "11 U.S.C. ยง 1107 Chapter 11 Reorganization", "juryDemand": "None", "jurisdictionType": "Bankruptcy", "parties": ["Acme Holdings LLC", "U.S. Trustee"], "attorneys": ["Jane Smith", "Robert Brown"], "docketEntriesCount": 142, "docketUrl": "https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12345678/in-re-acme-holdings-llc/" } ```` ### Data Source Data is provided by the [Free Law Project](https://free.law/) via the CourtListener RECAP Archive โ€” a crowd-sourced repository of federal court documents made available under a CC0 public domain dedication. Coverage varies by district; major bankruptcy courts (Delaware, S.D.N.Y., S.D. Texas) have the most complete coverage. RECAP data covers federal district and bankruptcy courts only (not state courts or federal appellate courts). For federal appellate opinions, see the companion [CourtListener Court Opinions](https://apify.com/pink_comic/courtlistener-legal-opinions) actor. # Actor input Schema ## `query` (type: `string`): Full-text keyword search (e.g. "chapter 11", "patent infringement", company name). ## `court` (type: `string`): Filter by federal court ID. Examples: "txsb" (S.D. Texas Bankruptcy), "nysb" (S.D.N.Y. Bankruptcy), "cacd" (C.D. California), "nysd" (S.D. New York). Leave empty for all courts. ## `caseName` (type: `string`): Filter by case name (e.g. "Acme Corp", "Smith v. Jones"). Partial matches supported. ## `dateFiledFrom` (type: `string`): Return cases filed on or after this date (YYYY-MM-DD). ## `dateFiledTo` (type: `string`): Return cases filed on or before this date (YYYY-MM-DD). ## `natureOfSuit` (type: `string`): Filter by nature of suit (e.g. "Bankruptcy", "Contract", "Patent", "Civil Rights"). Partial matches supported. ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of dockets to return (1-5000). ## Actor input object example ```json { "query": "chapter 11", "court": "", "caseName": "", "dateFiledFrom": "", "dateFiledTo": "", "natureOfSuit": "", "maxResults": 100 } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "query": "chapter 11", "court": "", "caseName": "", "dateFiledFrom": "", "dateFiledTo": "", "natureOfSuit": "", "maxResults": 100 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("pink_comic/recap-federal-court-dockets").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`๐Ÿ’พ Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // ๐Ÿ“š Want to learn more ๐Ÿ“–? Go to โ†’ https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "query": "chapter 11", "court": "", "caseName": "", "dateFiledFrom": "", "dateFiledTo": "", "natureOfSuit": "", "maxResults": 100, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("pink_comic/recap-federal-court-dockets").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("๐Ÿ’พ Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # ๐Ÿ“š Want to learn more ๐Ÿ“–? Go to โ†’ https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "query": "chapter 11", "court": "", "caseName": "", "dateFiledFrom": "", "dateFiledTo": "", "natureOfSuit": "", "maxResults": 100 }' | apify call pink_comic/recap-federal-court-dockets --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=pink_comic/recap-federal-court-dockets", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "RECAP Federal Court Dockets - PACER Case Search", "description": "Search RECAP/CourtListener for federal court dockets and PACER case records. Find cases by party name, case number, or court. Get docket entries, filing dates, and document links without PACER fees. For litigation research, due diligence, and legal analytics. Pay per result.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "Y8uwlOw8SKxq68DNb" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/pink_comic~recap-federal-court-dockets/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-pink_comic-recap-federal-court-dockets", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/pink_comic~recap-federal-court-dockets/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-pink_comic-recap-federal-court-dockets", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/pink_comic~recap-federal-court-dockets/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-pink_comic-recap-federal-court-dockets", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "query": { "title": "Keyword Query", "type": "string", "description": "Full-text keyword search (e.g. \"chapter 11\", \"patent infringement\", company name).", "default": "chapter 11" }, "court": { "title": "Court ID", "type": "string", "description": "Filter by federal court ID. Examples: \"txsb\" (S.D. Texas Bankruptcy), \"nysb\" (S.D.N.Y. Bankruptcy), \"cacd\" (C.D. California), \"nysd\" (S.D. New York). Leave empty for all courts.", "default": "" }, "caseName": { "title": "Case Name", "type": "string", "description": "Filter by case name (e.g. \"Acme Corp\", \"Smith v. Jones\"). Partial matches supported.", "default": "" }, "dateFiledFrom": { "title": "Date Filed From", "type": "string", "description": "Return cases filed on or after this date (YYYY-MM-DD).", "default": "" }, "dateFiledTo": { "title": "Date Filed To", "type": "string", "description": "Return cases filed on or before this date (YYYY-MM-DD).", "default": "" }, "natureOfSuit": { "title": "Nature of Suit", "type": "string", "description": "Filter by nature of suit (e.g. \"Bankruptcy\", \"Contract\", \"Patent\", \"Civil Rights\"). Partial matches supported.", "default": "" }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max Results", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 5000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of dockets to return (1-5000).", "default": 100 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```