> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.docketlayer.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Basic vs. full context

> The context parameter controls how much case data DocketLayer returns. Both levels cost the same.

The `context` parameter on `GET /v2/case` and `POST /v2/cases/batch` controls the depth of case data returned. Both levels cost \$0.99 — `full` is not more expensive than `basic`.

## Basic context (default)

`context=basic` returns the case header, status, primary parties, and the delta block (if `last_checked` was supplied). It is the default when `context` is omitted.

```json theme={null}
{
  "case": {
    "case_number": "1:24-cv-01234",
    "case_name": "Smith v. Jones",
    "case_type": "civil",
    "court_code": "nysd",
    "court_name": "Southern District of New York",
    "jurisdiction_country": "US",
    "status": "open",
    "assigned_judge": "Hon. Sarah Johnson",
    "nature_of_proceeding": "Contract: Other",
    "cause": "28 USC 1332",
    "jury_demand": "both",
    "date_filed": "2024-05-10T00:00:00-04:00",
    "date_terminated": null,
    "language": "en",
    "case_name_secondary": null,
    "case_name_secondary_language": null,
    "primary_parties": [
      { "name": "John Smith", "type": "plaintiff" },
      { "name": "Acme Corp.", "type": "defendant" }
    ],
    "appellate": null
  }
}
```

`primary_parties` contains only the parties flagged as primary — typically the lead plaintiff and lead defendant. It does not include attorneys, co-plaintiffs, or intervenors.

## Full context

`context=full` extends basic context with three additional fields:

* **`parties`** — complete party list with attorneys
* **`cross_references`** — related, consolidated, or transferred cases
* **`docket_history`** — every docket entry on record

```json theme={null}
{
  "case": {
    "...all basic fields...",
    "parties": [
      {
        "name": "John Smith",
        "type": "plaintiff",
        "role_in_case": "lead plaintiff",
        "date_joined": "2024-05-10T00:00:00Z",
        "date_terminated": null,
        "attorneys": [
          {
            "name": "Jane Doe",
            "firm": "Doe & Associates LLP",
            "role": "lead counsel",
            "date_action": "2024-05-10T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "cross_references": [
      {
        "relationship": "consolidated_with",
        "case_id": "1:24-cv-01235",
        "court_code": "nysd",
        "relationship_note": null
      }
    ],
    "docket_history": [
      {
        "entry_number": 1,
        "filed_at": "2024-05-10T09:00:00Z",
        "filing_type": "complaint",
        "filed_by": "John Smith",
        "description": "Complaint filed",
        "document_identifier": "0001",
        "document_identifier_type": "pacer_doc_id",
        "external_url": "https://ecf.nysd.uscourts.gov/doc1/..."
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

### cross\_references relationship values

| Value                | Meaning                                           |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| `consolidated_with`  | Cases are consolidated                            |
| `appealed_from`      | This case appeals from the referenced case        |
| `appealed_to`        | The referenced case is the appeal of this one     |
| `related_to`         | Courts designated these cases as related          |
| `member_case_of_mdl` | This case is a member of the referenced MDL       |
| `same_party`         | Same parties appear in both cases                 |
| `other`              | Relationship noted but does not fit an enum value |

## The 2MB ceiling

For very large cases, `context=full` may trigger response truncation. When the response would exceed 2MB, `docket_history` is trimmed to the largest number of entries that fit. The response is still returned and still billed — truncation is noted in the meta block.

```json theme={null}
"meta": {
  "truncated": true,
  "truncation_details": {
    "omitted_fields": ["case.docket_history"],
    "total_entries": 4821,
    "entries_included": 500,
    "continuation_hint": "Query with context=basic plus filing_types to retrieve specific subsets of the docket."
  }
}
```

`context=basic` responses are never truncated.

## When to use each

**Use `context=basic`** for monitoring loops. You need to know if anything changed, and if so, what the new filings are. Basic context plus the delta block is all you need.

**Use `context=full`** when you need a complete picture: all parties with attorneys, the full docket history, and cross-references. Appropriate for initial case intake, legal review workflows, and any task where completeness matters more than payload size.