> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.courtaid.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.courtaid.ai/legal-research-and-search/sources-and-citations.md).

# Sources & citations

CourtAid is built on real law with real citations. Every answer and summary links back to the original published source, so you can verify any finding.

## Clicking sources in Chat

In [Chat mode](/chat-and-documents/chat-mode.md), responses include a **Documents referenced** section listing the cases and legislation used.

Click any citation — e.g. *Robin Raju & Associates Pty Ltd v Kaplan Investments Pty Ltd \[2021] NSWCATCD 90* — to open that document. From there you can read the full text, view the [summary](/legal-research-and-search/document-summaries.md), or start [Chat PDF](/chat-and-documents/chat-pdf.md).

![Chat response showing clickable source citations](/files/mwdJNTKfqLGxEOLRhkld)

## Original source button

On every search result, the **Original** button opens the document at its published source — the court website, legislation repository, or official database where it was originally published.

![Search result with Original button among action options](/files/p3IuYs2gX5dvS3v1guQY)

Use **Original** when you need to:

* Verify CourtAid's copy matches the official version
* Cite the primary source in a submission or brief
* Access the document on the court's own website

## View Original in summaries

The full [summary modal](/legal-research-and-search/document-summaries.md) also includes a **View Original** button at the top, giving you one-click access to the source from the summary view.

![Summary modal with View Original button](/files/QIQvWqcwPa4heQOQD6S9)

## Citation Map

In chat responses, click **Map** to open an interactive citation map showing how the top results cite each other. This helps you find related authorities and understand precedent relationships quickly.

You can also open the map from **Search → Map view** or via **Cites / Cited by** tags on search results. See [Citation map & precedent relationships](/legal-research-and-search/citation-map.md) for a full guide.

## Why citations matter

CourtAid is designed for legal professionals who need to rely on their research. Every feature — chat, search, summaries, and projects — maintains a link to the underlying source document so you can:

* Verify AI-generated content against primary sources
* Build a defensible research trail
* Cite authorities accurately in your work

{% hint style="info" %}
CourtAid provides research assistance, not legal advice. See [Research assistance, not legal advice](/getting-started/legal-disclaimer.md) and always verify important findings against the original source.
{% endhint %}


---

# 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://docs.courtaid.ai/legal-research-and-search/sources-and-citations.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.