A court docket is the chronological record that tracks what happens in a legal case. Entries typically identify complaints, motions, briefs, hearings, orders and judgments, along with the dates they were filed or entered. Each entry often has a document number that reporters and lawyers can use to locate a filing.
For US federal cases, electronic docket systems provide access to many court records, sometimes through PACER or publicly released document collections. A docket entry is not the same as the underlying document: one may summarize a filing without reproducing its full contents. Some submissions are sealed, redacted or otherwise restricted rather than publicly viewable.
Dockets are valuable for following fast-moving antitrust litigation because court decisions can differ from what parties asked for. A proposed remedy, a judge's opinion, a notice of appeal and a final judgment are separate events, and each may carry different legal consequences and deadlines.
When citing court activity, record the case name, court, docket number, document number and filing date. Read the full order where possible. A party's allegations in a docketed filing remain allegations unless a court has made corresponding findings.