FOLIO MCP Tools Reference

Quick Reference

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Workflow Examples: Labeling Contract Clauses | Classifying Docket Motions | Client Intake | Multilingual Glossary | Schema Design

Discovery Tools

list_branches

List all FOLIO taxonomy branches with concept counts. This is the starting point for understanding what the ontology covers.

Parameters: None

Returns: JSON object mapping branch names to concept counts.

Example:

> list_branches()

{
  "actors_players": 6,
  "areas_of_law": 31,
  "asset_types": 4,
  "communication_modalities": 3,
  "currencies": 178,
  "data_formats": 17,
  "document_artifacts": 7,
  "engagement_terms": 14,
  "events": 14,
  "forum_venues": 3,
  "governmental_bodies": 10,
  "industries": 21,
  "languages": 487,
  "legal_authorities": 14,
  "legal_entities": 6,
  "locations": 8,
  "matter_narratives": 8,
  "matter_narrative_formats": 2,
  "objectives": 13,
  "services": 5,
  "standards_compatibilities": 5,
  "statuses": 3,
  "system_identifiers": 4
}

search_concepts

Search concepts by label (name) using fuzzy matching. This is the primary entry point for finding concepts — start here.

Parameters:

Returns: JSON array of {iri, label, definition, score}.

Example:

> search_concepts(query="assignment clause", limit=3)

[
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/...",
    "label": "Assignment Clause",
    "definition": "An Assignment Clause is a provision in a contract
      that allows a party to transfer their rights or obligations
      under the contract to another party.",
    "score": 100.0
  },
  ...
]

search_definitions

Search concepts by definition text. Use this when search_concepts doesn’t find what you need by name.

Parameters:

Returns: JSON array of {iri, label, definition, score}.

Example:

> search_definitions(query="fiduciary duty", limit=3)

[
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/R7wZePVWBKLVfAUwDtboutg",
    "label": "Agent Liability",
    "definition": "Agent Liability refers to the legal responsibility
      of an individual or entity acting as an agent for another
      party, for any harm caused to a third party due to their
      negligence or breach of fiduciary duty.",
    "score": 100.0
  },
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/R7ZUD4AC5YHqLtlGhBqc2Ti",
    "label": "Fiduciary Relationship",
    "definition": "A fiduciary relationship is a legal relationship
      in which one party is entrusted with the care and management
      of another party's assets or interests...",
    "score": 100.0
  },
  ...
]

Browsing Tools

get_taxonomy_branch

Get top-level concepts in a FOLIO taxonomy branch. Use list_branches first to see available branch names.

Parameters:

Returns: JSON array of {iri, label, definition} summaries.

Example:

> get_taxonomy_branch(branch_name="areas_of_law", max_depth=1)

[
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV",
    "label": "Contract Law",
    "definition": "The General Theory of Contracts is an umbrella
      term used in civil law jurisdictions..."
  },
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RMZ6lNihK8TG4Flhco1yTy",
    "label": "Criminal Law",
    "definition": "Law concerned with the punishment of individuals
      who commit crimes."
  },
  ... // 31 areas of law total
]

get_concept

Get the full record for a specific concept by IRI. Accepts short IDs (e.g., "RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV") or full IRIs.

Parameters:

Returns: Full JSON with label, definition, alternative labels, translations, parent/child IRIs, cross-references, identifiers, and more.

Example:

> get_concept(iri="RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV")

{
  "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV",
  "label": "Contract Law",
  "definition": "The General Theory of Contracts is an umbrella
    term used in civil law jurisdictions...",
  "alternative_labels": ["General Theory of Contracts"],
  "translations": {},
  "sub_class_of": [
    "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RSYBzf149Mi5KE0YtmpUmr"
  ],
  "parent_class_of": [
    "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RBrUb9V2u6f7iVR1RBNsyB1",
    "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RCPtRu7JjCg1Do3DUtQofho",
    "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RDlMcnPEFzMJer6LE0dJJj9",
    ...
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/R8xB67rtMDMgJgiTMAX9UXW"
  ],
  "deprecated": false
}

get_children

Get child concepts of a given concept. Navigate the taxonomy incrementally rather than using deep max_depth.

Parameters:

Returns: JSON array of {iri, label, definition} summaries.

Example:

> get_children(iri="RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV")

[
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RBrUb9V2u6f7iVR1RBNsyB1",
    "label": "Civil Contract Law",
    "definition": "Civil Contract Law refers to a subset of Civil
      Law that deals with agreements between private entities..."
  },
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RCPtRu7JjCg1Do3DUtQofho",
    "label": "Commercial Transactions Law",
    "definition": "Law related to business contracts and agreements."
  },
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RFG8cttIFCPLJVsOIlLOnY",
    "label": "Employment Contracts Law",
    "definition": "Employment Contracts Law refers to the legal
      principles and regulations governing the agreements between
      employers and employees..."
  },
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RDlMcnPEFzMJer6LE0dJJj9",
    "label": "Government Contracts Law",
    "definition": "Laws relating to contracts in which the government
      is a party."
  },
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RIeTFTPy9Um78489NqJxjn",
    "label": "Independent Contractor Law",
    "definition": "A legal concept that pertains to the classification
      and treatment of individuals who provide services as
      non-employees..."
  },
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/R7mghrIauk4oJaakhl0B8pU",
    "label": "Property Rights and Transactions Law",
    "definition": "Law relating to the acquisition and transfer
      of real property."
  }
]

get_parents

Get parent concepts of a given concept. Navigate upward in the taxonomy.

Parameters:

Returns: JSON array of {iri, label, definition} summaries.

Example:

> get_parents(iri="RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV")

[
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RSYBzf149Mi5KE0YtmpUmr",
    "label": "Area of Law",
    "definition": "The practice area into which a legal matter or
      legal area of study falls (e.g., Criminal Law, Real Property
      Law, Tax and Revenue Law)."
  }
]

Advanced Query Tools

query_concepts

Query concepts with composable text and structural filters. More powerful than search_concepts — supports field-specific matching, structural constraints, and multiple match modes. All specified filters must match (AND logic).

Parameters:

Returns: JSON array of matching concepts.

Example — Find contract-related areas of law:

> query_concepts(label="contract", branch="AREA_OF_LAW", limit=3)

[
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RBrUb9V2u6f7iVR1RBNsyB1",
    "label": "Civil Contract Law",
    "definition": "Civil Contract Law refers to a subset of Civil
      Law that deals with agreements between private entities..."
  },
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV",
    "label": "Contract Law",
    "definition": "The General Theory of Contracts is an umbrella term..."
  },
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RDlMcnPEFzMJer6LE0dJJj9",
    "label": "Government Contracts Law",
    "definition": "Laws relating to contracts in which the government
      is a party."
  }
]

Example — Find only leaf concepts (no children) matching “motion”:

> query_concepts(label="motion", has_children=false, limit=5)

query_properties

Query OWL object properties with composable filters. Use this instead of get_properties when you need filtered results.

Parameters:

Returns: JSON array of properties with iri, label, definition, domain, and range.

Example:

> query_properties(label="governs", limit=3)

[
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/...",
    "label": "governedBy",
    "definition": "Indicates the legal authority or body that
      governs a particular entity or process.",
    "domain": [...],
    "range": [...]
  },
  ...
]

get_properties

Get all OWL object properties defined in the FOLIO ontology. Returns the full list of relationship types (e.g., "hasJurisdiction", "appliesTo", "governedBy").

Parameters: None

Returns: JSON array of all properties with iri, label, definition, domain, and range. This can be a large result set.

Example:

> get_properties()

[
  {
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/...",
    "label": "hasJurisdiction",
    "definition": "Relates a legal concept to the jurisdiction
      in which it applies.",
    "domain": [...],
    "range": [...]
  },
  ...
]

Relationship and Export Tools

find_connections

Find semantic connections (subject-property-object triples) between FOLIO concepts. At minimum, provide a subject_iri. Optionally filter by property and/or object.

Parameters:

Returns: JSON array of triples [{subject: {...}, property: {...}, object: {...}}].

Example:

> find_connections(
    subject_iri="https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/R19C64e46C5480B0a9f4820a"
  )

[
  {
    "subject": {
      "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/R19C64e46C5480B0a9f4820a",
      "label": "U.S. Bankruptcy Court - S.D. Ohio"
    },
    "property": {
      "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/...",
      "label": "hasJurisdiction"
    },
    "object": {
      "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/...",
      "label": "Southern District of Ohio"
    }
  },
  ...
]

export_concept

Export a FOLIO concept in a specific format for integration or documentation.

Parameters:

Returns: The concept in the requested format.

Example — Markdown export:

> export_concept(iri="RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV", format="markdown")

# Contract Law

**IRI:** https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV

## Labels

**Alternative Labels:**
- General Theory of Contracts

## Definition

The General Theory of Contracts is an umbrella term used in civil
law jurisdictions, like Spain and Latin America, that refers to the
body of law that governs contracts...

## Sub Class Of
- https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RSYBzf149Mi5KE0YtmpUmr

## Parent Class Of
- https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/R7mghrIauk4oJaakhl0B8pU
- https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/RBrUb9V2u6f7iVR1RBNsyB1
- ...

Example — JSON-LD export for system integration:

> export_concept(iri="RCIPwpgRpMs1eVz4vPid0pV", format="jsonld")

Workflow Examples

Workflow 1: Labeling Contract Clauses

Classify an indemnification clause in a commercial agreement by finding the matching FOLIO concept and its taxonomy path.

Step 1 — Search for the clause type:

> search_concepts(query="indemnification clause")

[
  {
    "label": "Indemnification Clause",
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/...",
    "definition": "An Indemnification Clause is a contractual provision
      where one party agrees to compensate the other for certain
      damages or losses."
  },
  ...
]

Step 2 — Get the full concept record with translations and identifiers:

> get_concept(iri="<iri from step 1>")

This returns alternative labels, translations (e.g., Spanish: “Clausula de Indemnizacion”), cross-references, and deprecation status.

Step 3 — Find where it sits in the taxonomy:

> get_parents(iri="<iri from step 1>")

// Returns the parent concept (e.g., "Contractual Clause")

Step 4 — Discover subtypes for finer-grained classification:

> get_children(iri="<iri from step 1>")

// Returns subtypes like:
//   - Indemnification by Buyer Clause
//   - Indemnification by Seller Clause
//   - Cross-Indemnification Clause

This gives an AI agent enough context to label the clause with both a broad category and a specific subtype, along with a standardized IRI for downstream systems.

Workflow 2: Classifying Motions in a Bankruptcy Docket

Given a list of motions filed in a bankruptcy case, classify each against the FOLIO taxonomy.

Step 1 — Browse the document_artifacts branch to understand the taxonomy:

> get_taxonomy_branch(branch_name="document_artifacts", max_depth=1)

// Returns top-level document categories:
//   - Transactional Documents
//   - Litigation Documents
//   - Regulatory Documents
//   - ...

Step 2 — Search for a specific motion type:

> search_concepts(query="motion to dismiss")

[
  {
    "label": "Motion to Dismiss",
    "iri": "https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/...",
    "definition": "A Motion to Dismiss is a legal filing requesting
      the court to dismiss the case..."
  }
]

Step 3 — Get full details and the taxonomy path:

> get_concept(iri="<motion to dismiss iri>")
> get_parents(iri="<motion to dismiss iri>")

// Taxonomy path:
//   Motion to Dismiss -> Motion -> Litigation Document -> Document Types

Step 4 — Export for integration into a docket management system:

> export_concept(iri="<motion to dismiss iri>", format="jsonld")

Repeat steps 2-4 for each motion in the docket: “Wages Motion”, “Pre-petition Payroll Motion”, “Scheduling Motion”, etc. The FOLIO taxonomy provides standardized labels and IRIs for each.

Workflow 3: Identifying Areas of Law for Client Intake

During client intake, determine which practice areas apply to a new matter involving a data breach at a healthcare company.

Step 1 — Browse all available areas of law:

> get_taxonomy_branch(branch_name="areas_of_law", max_depth=1)

// Returns 31 practice areas including:
//   - Health Law
//   - Information Security Law
//   - Insurance Law
//   - Personal Injury and Tort Law

Step 2 — Search definitions for concepts related to the scenario:

> search_definitions(query="data breach healthcare")

Step 3 — Use structural queries to narrow down:

> query_concepts(
    definition="unauthorized access",
    branch="AREA_OF_LAW",
    limit=5
  )

Step 4 — Get children for each relevant area to find sub-specialties:

> get_children(iri="<Information Security Law iri>")

// Returns sub-areas like:
//   - Data Breach Law
//   - Privacy Law
//   - Cybersecurity Compliance

This workflow identifies that the matter touches Information Security Law, Health Law, and potentially Insurance Law — each with standardized FOLIO IRIs for matter management systems.

Workflow 4: Building a Multilingual Legal Glossary

Create a glossary of bankruptcy terms with translations for a multinational law firm.

Step 1 — Find the bankruptcy branch:

> search_concepts(query="bankruptcy", limit=5)

// Finds: "Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice",
//   "Bankruptcy Claims Practice", etc.

Step 2 — Get the parent area and its children:

> get_children(
    iri="https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/R8g9E8c4U6pZQefIjUNRuDd"
  )

// Returns all sub-areas of Bankruptcy, Insolvency,
// and Restructuring Law.

Step 3 — For each concept, retrieve the full record with translations:

> get_concept(iri="<each child iri>")

// Returns translations like:
//   es-es: "Ley de Quiebras"
//   fr-fr: "Droit de la faillite"
//   ja-jp: "破産法"
//   zh-cn: "破产法"

Step 4 — Export each concept in a structured format:

> export_concept(iri="<iri>", format="markdown")

Repeat for each term to build a comprehensive multilingual glossary grounded in standardized legal concepts.

Workflow 5: Exploring Ontology Properties for Schema Design

Design a database schema for a legal matter management system using FOLIO’s relationship types.

Step 1 — List all object properties:

> get_properties()

// Returns all OWL object properties like:
//   hasJurisdiction, appliesTo, governedBy, hasParty, ...

Step 2 — Query for properties relevant to your domain:

> query_properties(label="party", limit=5)

// Returns properties related to parties in legal matters.

Step 3 — Find how properties connect specific concepts:

> find_connections(
    subject_iri="<a court concept iri>",
    property_name="hasJurisdiction"
  )

This reveals the actual relationship instances in the ontology, which can inform your schema’s foreign key relationships and join tables.

Tips and Best Practices

Support

If you encounter any issues or have questions, please open an issue on GitHub or visit the FOLIO community forum.