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Resources for Litigators: Dockets & Court Filings

Free websites, dockets, verdicts, directories, jury instructions and other resources used by litigators.

Why/When to Use a Docket

Why/When to Use a Docket: What Information Can Dockets Give You?
  • Estimate length of similar case
  • Upcoming hearing and trial dates, Nature of the suit (claims or criminal charges filed)
  • Figure out what types of documents are filed in a particular type of action (motions, supplemental materials, expert reports etc)

 

  • List of parties involved in the action and their attorneys (usually includes attorney firm name & sometimes contact info)
  • Determine if a type of case is tried more often as a bench or jury trial
  • Docket numbers of related cases, Court & Judge presiding over case
  • Determine if a type of case seems to go to trial in a particular jurisdiction or if they seem more likely to settle
  • Disposition of a case if it has already concluded
  • Determine litigation trends—are more of these cases being brought in one jurisdiction over another? Do they tend to be class actions?
  • List of expert witnesses and documents containing their deposition or trial testimony
  • What types of experts tend to testify in this type of case?
  • Sometimes links to the filed documents themselves (depending on database)
  • Figure out what claims to bring
  • Sometimes links to opinions and appellate docket or briefs

Free Resources

State court websites may also give you access to recent dockets although the types of cases, years of coverage and depth of information included varies widely from one jurisdiction to the next. And while many provide this service for free, others may require that you create an account and pay for access to underlying court documents. 

Pennsylvania Resources

Court Filings

Federal Resources

Additional Paid Services--Other State & Federal Dockets