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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.

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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. 
{
  "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.

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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
{
  "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/..."
      }
    ]
  }
}

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cross_references relationship values

ValueMeaning
consolidated_withCases are consolidated
appealed_fromThis case appeals from the referenced case
appealed_toThe referenced case is the appeal of this one
related_toCourts designated these cases as related
member_case_of_mdlThis case is a member of the referenced MDL
same_partySame parties appear in both cases
otherRelationship noted but does not fit an enum value

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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. 
"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.

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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.