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

# Citations

> Resolve, search, and traverse the citation network

Resolve citation strings, look up case details, and traverse the citation network. All citation endpoints are available via the REST API for integration into your own tools.

## Formats

The citation engine supports US citation formats:

| Jurisdiction | Format   | Example             |
| ------------ | -------- | ------------------- |
| **US**       | Bluebook | 410 U.S. 113 (1973) |
| **US**       | ALWD     | 410 U.S. 113 (1973) |

Citations are cross-referenced. Searching by one format returns all known citation strings for that case.

## Resolve a Citation

Paste a citation string to get the full case record:

> *"410 U.S. 113"*

Returns **Roe v. Wade** with court, date, bench, and all citation strings.

### API

```bash theme={"theme":"github-dark"}
curl -X POST https://api.vaquill.ai/api/v1/citations/resolve \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer vq_key_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"citation": "410 U.S. 113"}'
```

## Search Cases

Search by title, keyword, or topic:

```bash theme={"theme":"github-dark"}
curl -X POST https://api.vaquill.ai/api/v1/citations/search \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer vq_key_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"query": "right to privacy", "limit": 10}'
```

## Citation Network

Every case is linked to the cases it cites and the cases that cite it.

<Frame caption="Each citation links to its exact source text">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/vaquill/NNZLwmIqu4MrnJz-/images/research-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=NNZLwmIqu4MrnJz-&q=85&s=eb70d9dddb68bfc5895e434434184cde" alt="A cited section expanded to its exact source text, with the list of supporting citations" style={{ borderRadius: '0.5rem' }} width="2672" height="1534" data-path="images/research-2.png" />
</Frame>

### Backward Citations (Cases Cited)

```bash theme={"theme":"github-dark"}
curl https://api.vaquill.ai/api/v1/citations/{case_id}/citations-of \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer vq_key_..."
```

### Forward Citations (Cited By)

```bash theme={"theme":"github-dark"}
curl https://api.vaquill.ai/api/v1/citations/{case_id}/cited-by \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer vq_key_..."
```

### Freshness

| Status            | Meaning                                  |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Good Law**      | Not overruled or questioned              |
| **Overruled**     | Explicitly overruled by a later decision |
| **Distinguished** | Later courts limited its application     |
| **Questioned**    | Later courts expressed doubt             |

<Warning>
  Verify case freshness before citing in a filing.
</Warning>

## Export Styles

100+ citation styles supported:

* **Bluebook** (legal standard)
* **APA**, **MLA**, **Chicago**
* **OSCOLA** (Oxford standard)
* Regional conventions

Select your style from conversation settings or at export time.