RECAP
Free access to federal court documents.
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What is RECAP?
RECAP Suite is a collection of tools designed to enhance access to and management of data from PACER, the U.S. federal court's public access electronic records system. Its primary purpose is to automate the archiving of PACER data, enabling users to store and retrieve court filings without manual intervention. Researchers, journalists, legal professionals, and court observers utilize RECAP to overcome PACER's limitations, such as high costs for document retrieval and fragmented data access. The tool addresses the challenge of efficiently managing large volumes of legal records by centralizing data storage and providing free access to shared archives, reducing financial and logistical barriers to legal research.
How it works
RECAP Suite comprises browser extensions and archival tools that integrate with PACER to streamline legal data management. The RECAP extension, for example, automatically archives PACER-purchased documents, eliminating the need for manual downloads. The RECAP Archive serves as a shared repository where users can access documents contributed by others, fostering collaborative research while reducing individual costs associated with PACER. The RECAP extension synchronizes PACER data with the archive, ensuring users retain access to documents even after PACER sessions end. Journalists and court watchers leverage docket alerts and search alerts to track case updates in real time. The NEF notification handler processes PACER alerts, enabling users to manage notifications without relying on PACER's built-in system.
How to use it
- 1Install the RECAP extension from Chrome/Edge/Safari/Firefox. 2. Use PACER as usual; the extension automatically archives purchased documents. 3. Access shared archives within PACER to view data contributed by others. 4. Enable docket alerts or search alerts to receive notifications about case updates. Practical tips include configuring notification settings for specific courts or docket numbers and verifying archive synchronization after each PACER session.
What it can do
- court documents
Use cases
Assumptions and limitations
Assumptions
- source: https://free.law/recap/
- license: GPL-3.0 — free to use
- privacy: Self-hosted — you control your data
Limitations
- Dependent on PACER's data availability and pricing models
- Archive updates may lag behind real-time PACER data
- Limited advanced search filters compared to dedicated legal databases
- Shared archive content depends on community contributions
- No support for non-English documents or international courts
Understanding the result
Free access to federal court documents.
Tool details
- Clearly flagged when a network request is needed.
- No account, no sign-up, and no tracking of your content.
- Powered by (GPL-3.0).
- Built with
- (https://free.law/recap/)
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Runs locally
- No — requires a network request
- Verification
- Not yet verified
- Input
- Query
- Output
- Text
Built with https://free.law/recap/. OpenToolVault provides the discovery and browser interface while crediting the original project maintainers.
- Built with
- License
- GPL-3.0
Open-source project
OpenToolVault is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by this project.
References
- / — GitHub Repository
Upstream project · GitHub
- GPL-3.0 License
Upstream project
Frequently asked
What is the RECAP Suite?
The RECAP Suite is an open-source collection of tools that integrate with PACER to automate legal data management. It includes a browser extension for archiving PACER purchases, a shared archive for accessing contributed documents, and notification handlers for court activity tracking. These tools are maintained by the Free Law Project to improve legal research accessibility.
How does RECAP handle PACER data?
The RECAP extension operates as a browser plugin that intercepts PACER transactions. When users purchase documents through PACER, the extension automatically saves copies to the RECAP Archive. This process occurs locally within the browser, ensuring data is stored without requiring additional servers. The archive is accessible via PACER's interface, allowing users to view shared documents without re-purchasing them.
How do I install the RECAP extension?
Visit the RECAP installation page and add the extension to your Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox browser. Once installed, use PACER as usual; the extension will automatically archive purchased documents. To access shared archives, navigate to PACER's interface and look for RECAP-integrated features like docket alerts or search alerts.
How does RECAP compare to PACER and CourtListener?
RECAP enhances PACER by adding archival and notification features while maintaining PACER's original data. CourtListener provides similar case tracking but lacks RECAP's integrated archive. Unlike both, RECAP focuses on automating data preservation rather than case tracking, making it more suitable for researchers needing long-term document access.
What should I do if my PACER data isn't appearing in RECAP?
Verify the RECAP extension is enabled in your browser settings. Check for PACER session errors that might prevent data capture. Ensure you're logged into PACER correctly, as authentication issues can block archive synchronization. If problems persist, consult the RECAP documentation or contact the Free Law Project for support.