> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.vlex.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.vlex.com/document-types/case-law/cert-tm.md).

# Cert™

{% hint style="danger" %}
The information below is only true for United States cases. To see citation information for other jurisdictions, please read our article on [Treatment Types](/document-types/case-law/treatment-types.md).

Please contact your Account Manager if you cannot see Cert citations and you have access to our US content.
{% endhint %}

Cert shows negative treatments resulting from combining case-to-case citations, relevant language patterns, and appellate history. We have combined superior technology with a dedicated team of lawyers with years of editorial expertise to create a superior review process.

<figure><img src="/files/qkC8kZeuFq3aDFN3060g" alt=""><figcaption><p>Image of Cert Citation on the Results Page.</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}
Cert is available for the following US courts:

* Supreme Court
* Federal Circuit Courts

For all states and DC\*:

* The court of last resort/highest court in the state
* Appellate courts

\*Does not include Puerto Rico, USVI, Guam, American Samoa, or Tribal.
{% endhint %}

A negative citator aims to identify the most negative treatment available for each case.

Cert focuses on red (warning) and orange (questioned) treatments. They indicate that a point of law has been overturned, disputed, or questioned; or that a case’s precedential value has been impugned in some way.

## <mark style="color:red;">Red</mark> (Warning) Treatments

* Overrule
* Vacate
* Disavow
* Reverse
* Abrogate
* Supercede

## <mark style="color:orange;">Orange</mark> (Questioned) Treatments

* Criticize
* Disagree
* Decline to Follow
* Decline to Extend

{% hint style="success" %}
Cert treatments for all cases are updated **weekly**, with special exceptions for highly impactful federal cases.
{% endhint %}

Treatments will be displayed alongside the case name on both the [results page](/getting-started/search-results.md) and within the [case](/document-types/case-law.md) itself.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/Yem4ji3SGVzx6S6tbQZW" alt=""><figcaption><p>Where to find Cert citations on vLex.</p></figcaption></figure>

You can view additional details by selecting the treatment.

<figure><img src="/files/GBzXc2ogbixEHE8szoBV" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click on a citation with an arrow under to view more details.</p></figcaption></figure>

The treatments will still show on the [Cited Authorities](/document-types/case-law/cited-authorities.md) and [Cited In](/document-types/case-law/cited-in.md) tabs as normal.&#x20;


---

# Agent Instructions
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## Querying This Documentation
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Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

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GET https://support.vlex.com/document-types/case-law/cert-tm.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
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