# Key Dates

## filing\_date

(*string*)

The date the case was filed, in the format `"YYYY-MM-DD"`. This is generally the date of the (first) complaint.

If `filing_date` is empty, we do not know when the case was originally filed or the case was not filed (see [#never\_filed](#never_filed "mention")). (Also check the [#case\_status](https://api.clearinghouse.net/api-reference-v2p1/objects/case-status#case_status "mention").)

## filing\_year

(*number*)

The year the case was filed, in the format `YYYY`. If `filing_date` is not empty, then `filing_year` should equal the year of `filing_date`.

See [#filing\_date](#filing_date "mention") for more information.

## never\_filed

(*boolean*)

If the case was never filed, this field is `True`.

If `never_filed` is `True`, both `filing_date` and `filing_year` should be empty.

## settlement\_judgment\_date

(*string*)

The date of the first judgment or settlement in the case, in the format `"YYYY-MM-DD"`.

If `settlement_judgment_date` is empty, then there may not be a judgment or settlement in the case (yet). (Also check the [#case\_status](https://api.clearinghouse.net/api-reference-v2p1/objects/case-status#case_status "mention").)

## settlement\_judgment\_year

(*number*)

The year of the first judgment or settlement in the case, in the format `YYYY`. If `settlement_judgment_date` is not empty, then `settlement_judgment_year` should equal the year of `settlement_judgment_date`.

See [#settlement\_judgment\_date](#settlement_judgment_date "mention") for more information.

## order\_start\_year

(*number*)

The first year of an injunction or injunctive-like relief, in the format `YYYY`. This applies only if there was an injunction or injunctive-like relief in the case.

## order\_end\_year

(*number*)

The last year of an injunction or injunctive-like relief, in the format `YYYY`. This applies only if there was an injunction or injunctive-like relief in the case.

If an injunction is a permanent injunction, then there will be no `order_end_year` (and [#permanent\_injunction](#permanent_injunction "mention") will be `true`). If the injunction was still in effect at the time the case's metadata was updated, then there `order_end_year` will be empty.

## injunction\_duration

(*string*)

The duration, in months, that an injunction (preliminary or permanent) or temporary restraining order lasted.

If `injunction_duration` is empty, it may be because there was no injunction in the case or because the injunction is ongoing (and has no end date yet).

## permanent\_injunction

(*boolean*)

Whether the injunction or injunctive-like relief was set to last forever (i.e. there is no end date). An injunction is typically a court order requiring a party to do (or stop doing) a specific action.

If `permanent_injunction` is `true`, then [#order\_end\_year](#order_end_year "mention") will both be empty.

## terminating\_date

(*string*)

The last date of any activity in a case, in the format `"YYYY-MM-DD"`. "Any activity" includes things like ongoing injunctions, monitoring, waiting for status reports, and other events that might happen after a judgment has been issued or the parties reach a settlement.

If `terminating_date` is empty, then the case has not ended yet or we do not know when the case ended. (Also check the [#case\_status](https://api.clearinghouse.net/api-reference-v2p1/objects/case-status#case_status "mention").)

If `terminating_date` is not empty, then `case_ongoing` should be either "No" or "No reason to think so." See [#case\_ongoing](https://api.clearinghouse.net/api-reference-v2p1/objects/case-details#case_ongoing "mention") for more information.

## closing\_year

(*number*)

The last year of any activity in a case, in the format `YYYY`. If `terminating_date` is not empty, then `closing_year` should equal the year of `terminating_date`.

See [#terminating\_date](#terminating_date "mention") for more information.