Extract Court Filing Data

Extract Court Filing Data

Legal process outsourcing agencies and law firm operations teams use this recipe to digitize court filings — extracting case metadata, party details, and filing information for case management systems.

APIs Used

Document Extraction (1 credit per page)

Prerequisites

You need an Iteration Layer API key. Get one at platform.iterationlayer.com — free trial credits included, no credit card required.

For full integration guidance (SDKs, auth, MCP, error handling), see the Iteration Layer Integration Guide.

Implementation

curl -X POST https://api.iterationlayer.com/document-extraction/v1/extract \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "files": [
      {
        "type": "url",
        "name": "complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf",
        "url": "https://example.com/legal/complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf"
      }
    ],
    "schema": {
      "fields": [
        {
          "name": "case_number",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Court case or docket number"
        },
        {
          "name": "court_name",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Name of the court"
        },
        {
          "name": "jurisdiction",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Jurisdiction, e.g. state, federal, district"
        },
        {
          "name": "filing_date",
          "type": "DATE",
          "description": "Date the document was filed"
        },
        {
          "name": "document_type",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Type of filing, e.g. complaint, motion, answer"
        },
        {
          "name": "plaintiff",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Plaintiff name or names"
        },
        {
          "name": "defendant",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Defendant name or names"
        },
        {
          "name": "plaintiff_counsel",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Attorney or firm representing the plaintiff"
        },
        {
          "name": "defendant_counsel",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Attorney or firm representing the defendant"
        },
        {
          "name": "cause_of_action",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Legal cause of action or claim type"
        },
        {
          "name": "relief_sought",
          "type": "TEXTAREA",
          "description": "Summary of relief or damages sought"
        },
        {
          "name": "judge_assigned",
          "type": "TEXT",
          "description": "Assigned judge if listed"
        }
      ]
    }
  }'

import { IterationLayer } from "iterationlayer";
const client = new IterationLayer({ apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY" });

const result = await client.extractDocument({
  files: [
    {
      type: "url",
      name: "complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf",
      url: "https://example.com/legal/complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf",
    },
  ],
  schema: {
    fields: [
      { name: "case_number", type: "TEXT", description: "Court case or docket number" },
      { name: "court_name", type: "TEXT", description: "Name of the court" },
      { name: "jurisdiction", type: "TEXT", description: "Jurisdiction, e.g. state, federal, district" },
      { name: "filing_date", type: "DATE", description: "Date the document was filed" },
      { name: "document_type", type: "TEXT", description: "Type of filing, e.g. complaint, motion, answer" },
      { name: "plaintiff", type: "TEXT", description: "Plaintiff name or names" },
      { name: "defendant", type: "TEXT", description: "Defendant name or names" },
      { name: "plaintiff_counsel", type: "TEXT", description: "Attorney or firm representing the plaintiff" },
      { name: "defendant_counsel", type: "TEXT", description: "Attorney or firm representing the defendant" },
      { name: "cause_of_action", type: "TEXT", description: "Legal cause of action or claim type" },
      { name: "relief_sought", type: "TEXTAREA", description: "Summary of relief or damages sought" },
      { name: "judge_assigned", type: "TEXT", description: "Assigned judge if listed" },
    ],
  },
});

from iterationlayer import IterationLayer
client = IterationLayer(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")

result = client.extract_document(
    files=[
        {
            "type": "url",
            "name": "complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf",
            "url": "https://example.com/legal/complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf",
        }
    ],
    schema={
        "fields": [
            {"name": "case_number", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Court case or docket number"},
            {"name": "court_name", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Name of the court"},
            {"name": "jurisdiction", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Jurisdiction"},
            {"name": "filing_date", "type": "DATE", "description": "Date the document was filed"},
            {"name": "document_type", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Type of filing"},
            {"name": "plaintiff", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Plaintiff name or names"},
            {"name": "defendant", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Defendant name or names"},
            {"name": "plaintiff_counsel", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Attorney or firm representing the plaintiff"},
            {"name": "defendant_counsel", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Attorney or firm representing the defendant"},
            {"name": "cause_of_action", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Legal cause of action or claim type"},
            {"name": "relief_sought", "type": "TEXTAREA", "description": "Summary of relief or damages sought"},
            {"name": "judge_assigned", "type": "TEXT", "description": "Assigned judge if listed"},
        ]
    },
)

package main

import il "github.com/iterationlayer/sdk-go"

func main() {
	client := il.NewClient("YOUR_API_KEY")

	result, err := client.ExtractDocument(il.ExtractDocumentRequest{
		Files: []il.FileInput{
			il.FileInput{
				Type: "url",
				Name: "complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf",
				Url: "https://example.com/legal/complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf",
			},
		},
		Schema: il.ExtractionSchema{
			Fields: []any{
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "case_number",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Court case or docket number",
				},
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "court_name",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Name of the court",
				},
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "jurisdiction",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Jurisdiction, e.g. state, federal, district",
				},
				il.DateFieldConfig{
					Name: "filing_date",
					Type: "DATE",
					Description: "Date the document was filed",
				},
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "document_type",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Type of filing, e.g. complaint, motion, answer",
				},
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "plaintiff",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Plaintiff name or names",
				},
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "defendant",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Defendant name or names",
				},
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "plaintiff_counsel",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Attorney or firm representing the plaintiff",
				},
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "defendant_counsel",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Attorney or firm representing the defendant",
				},
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "cause_of_action",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Legal cause of action or claim type",
				},
				il.TextareaFieldConfig{
					Name: "relief_sought",
					Type: "TEXTAREA",
					Description: "Summary of relief or damages sought",
				},
				il.TextFieldConfig{
					Name: "judge_assigned",
					Type: "TEXT",
					Description: "Assigned judge if listed",
				},
			},
		},
	})
	if err != nil {
		panic(err)
	}

	_ = result
}

{
  "name": "Extract court filing data in Iteration Layer",
  "nodes": [
    {
      "parameters": {
        "content": "## Extract Court Filing Data\n\nLegal process outsourcing agencies and law firm operations teams use this recipe to digitize court filings — extracting case metadata, party details, and filing information for case management systems.\n\n**Note:** This workflow uses the Iteration Layer community node (`n8n-nodes-iterationlayer`). Install it via Settings > Community Nodes on self-hosted n8n, or add it directly on n8n Cloud with Verified Community Nodes enabled.",
        "height": 280,
        "width": 500,
        "color": 2
      },
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [200, 40],
      "id": "e1f2a3b4-c5d6-7890-efab-890123456701",
      "name": "Overview"
    },
    {
      "parameters": {
        "content": "### Step 1: Extract Court Filing Data\nResource: **Document Extraction**\n\nConfigure the Document Extraction parameters below, then connect your credentials.",
        "height": 160,
        "width": 300,
        "color": 6
      },
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [475, 100],
      "id": "e1f2a3b4-c5d6-7890-efab-890123456702",
      "name": "Step 1 Note"
    },
    {
      "parameters": {},
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [250, 300],
      "id": "e1f2a3b4-c5d6-7890-efab-890123456703",
      "name": "Manual Trigger"
    },
    {
      "parameters": {
        "resource": "documentExtraction",
        "schemaInputMode": "rawJson",
        "schemaJson": "{\"fields\":[{\"name\":\"case_number\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Court case or docket number\"},{\"name\":\"court_name\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Name of the court\"},{\"name\":\"jurisdiction\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Jurisdiction\"},{\"name\":\"filing_date\",\"type\":\"DATE\",\"description\":\"Date filed\"},{\"name\":\"document_type\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Type of filing\"},{\"name\":\"plaintiff\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Plaintiff name\"},{\"name\":\"defendant\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Defendant name\"},{\"name\":\"plaintiff_counsel\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Plaintiff attorney\"},{\"name\":\"defendant_counsel\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Defendant attorney\"},{\"name\":\"cause_of_action\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Cause of action\"},{\"name\":\"relief_sought\",\"type\":\"TEXTAREA\",\"description\":\"Relief sought\"},{\"name\":\"judge_assigned\",\"type\":\"TEXT\",\"description\":\"Assigned judge\"}]}",
        "files": {
          "fileValues": [
            {
              "fileInputMode": "url",
              "fileName": "complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf",
              "fileUrl": "https://example.com/legal/complaint-2026-CV-04821.pdf"
            }
          ]
        }
      },
      "type": "n8n-nodes-iterationlayer.iterationLayer",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [500, 300],
      "id": "e1f2a3b4-c5d6-7890-efab-890123456704",
      "name": "Extract Court Filing Data",
      "credentials": {
        "iterationLayerApi": {
          "id": "1",
          "name": "Iteration Layer API"
        }
      }
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Manual Trigger": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Extract Court Filing Data",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    }
  },
  "settings": {
    "executionOrder": "v1"
  }
}

Extract court filing data from the document at [file URL]. Use the extract_document tool with these fields:

- case_number (TEXT): Court case or docket number
- court_name (TEXT): Name of the court
- jurisdiction (TEXT): Jurisdiction, e.g. state, federal, district
- filing_date (DATE): Date the document was filed
- document_type (TEXT): Type of filing, e.g. complaint, motion, answer
- plaintiff (TEXT): Plaintiff name or names
- defendant (TEXT): Defendant name or names
- plaintiff_counsel (TEXT): Attorney or firm representing the plaintiff
- defendant_counsel (TEXT): Attorney or firm representing the defendant
- cause_of_action (TEXT): Legal cause of action or claim type
- relief_sought (TEXTAREA): Summary of relief or damages sought
- judge_assigned (TEXT): Assigned judge if listed

Response

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "case_number": {
      "value": "2026-CV-04821",
      "confidence": 0.99,
      "citations": ["Case No. 2026-CV-04821"]
    },
    "court_name": {
      "value": "Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division",
      "confidence": 0.98,
      "citations": ["Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division"]
    },
    "jurisdiction": {
      "value": "Essex County, New Jersey",
      "confidence": 0.97,
      "citations": ["Essex County"]
    },
    "filing_date": {
      "value": "2026-03-28",
      "confidence": 0.98,
      "citations": ["Filed: March 28, 2026"]
    },
    "document_type": {
      "value": "Complaint",
      "confidence": 0.99,
      "citations": ["COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL"]
    },
    "plaintiff": {
      "value": "Harborview Properties LLC",
      "confidence": 0.98,
      "citations": ["Plaintiff: Harborview Properties LLC"]
    },
    "defendant": {
      "value": "Coastal Development Group Inc.",
      "confidence": 0.98,
      "citations": ["Defendant: Coastal Development Group Inc."]
    },
    "plaintiff_counsel": {
      "value": "Morgan & Whitfield LLP",
      "confidence": 0.97,
      "citations": ["Attorney for Plaintiff: Morgan & Whitfield LLP"]
    },
    "defendant_counsel": {
      "value": "Not yet assigned",
      "confidence": 0.90,
      "citations": []
    },
    "cause_of_action": {
      "value": "Breach of contract and fraud in the inducement",
      "confidence": 0.96,
      "citations": ["FIRST COUNT: Breach of Contract", "SECOND COUNT: Fraud in the Inducement"]
    },
    "relief_sought": {
      "value": "Compensatory damages in excess of $2,400,000 for losses arising from defendant's failure to complete contracted renovation work, plus punitive damages, attorney fees, and costs of suit.",
      "confidence": 0.93,
      "citations": ["WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendant"]
    },
    "judge_assigned": {
      "value": "Hon. Patricia Delgado, J.S.C.",
      "confidence": 0.95,
      "citations": ["Assigned: Hon. Patricia Delgado, J.S.C."]
    }
  }
}

Links

• Integration guide
• Full documentation
• OpenAPI spec
• Browse all recipes