> 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/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/core-workflows/docket-research.md).

# Docket Research

### Summary

Learn how to perform **Docket Research** with Vincent. Our **AI court records** search allows you to navigate millions of **federal and state court records** using simple, natural-language questions to master your case intelligence.

### Why This is Important

Navigating court records is a fundamental part of litigation. The Docket Research workflow transforms this process by allowing you to search across a massive database of dockets and documents effortlessly. Receive automated analysis, click through to complete case records, and access comprehensive docket histories to build a more informed legal strategy.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Powered by Docket Alarm:** This workflow is engineered for US litigation research and is powered by Docket Alarm's vast database of over 850 million federal and state court records.
{% endhint %}

### How to Use Docket Research

The Docket Research workflow is designed for broad, open-ended inquiries into court records.

#### Step 1: Start the Workflow

To begin, select **Docket Research** from the list of workflows on the Vincent landing page.

![Select 'Docket Research' from the workflow library.](/files/W7va4dNUbkeeUXLeVSHk)

#### Step 2: Ask Your Research Question

In the text box, ask any question about US litigation. Vincent will search across the entire Docket Alarm database to find relevant cases, dockets, and documents to provide a comprehensive answer.

![Ask any question about US court records.](/files/z4taJV3hzsC5zxg3QgjE)

#### Step 3: Review the AI-Powered Analysis

Vincent will provide a detailed answer in a memo format, complete with a table of authorities and links to the underlying dockets. You can then click through to explore the full case records and analytics on Docket Alarm.

![Review Vincent’s AI-powered memo with authorities, dockets, and direct links for deeper case analysis.](/files/CLHqXXvGn92IksRfj4DE)

### Best Practices & Pro Tips

* **Use for Broad Exploration:** This workflow is perfect when you are in the early stages of research and want to understand the general landscape of litigation around a certain topic.
* **Combine with Profiling Workflows:** If your research identifies a key party, lawyer, or judge, use the [Profiling a Party](/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/core-workflows/profile-a-party.md) or other profiling workflows to dive deeper.

### Relevant Video Content

{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/1061265830?share=copy>" %}

### Related Articles

* [Finding Litigation Precedents](/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/core-workflows/find-litigation-precedents.md)
* [Profiling a Party](/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/core-workflows/profile-a-party.md)

**What's Your Next Step?**

| **New to Vincent?**                                                                                                                                                                                        | **Already a Vincent Customer?**                                                                                                                            |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [See how Vincent can transform your practice. **Request a personalized demo**.](https://vlex.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=website\&utm_medium=organic\&utm_campaign=web_trial_homepage\&campaign_id=4270741) | [If you still have questions or need help with a specific feature, our team is here to assist. **Contact our Support team**.](https://vlex.com/contact-us) |


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# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://support.vlex.com/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/core-workflows/docket-research.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.