# US Filing Deadline Calculator MCP

> US Filing Deadline Calculator determines final filing deadlines for US federal courts, automatically accounting for weekends and federal holidays. Use this MCP to input an event date and a procedural rule type—like RULE_12 or NOTICE_OF_APPEAL—and get the precise deadline. It also verifies if a given date is actually a business day that can start a legal clock.

## Overview
- **Category:** productivity
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** legal-tech, deadline-calculator, us-federal-court, procedural-rules, automation

## Description

Need to calculate a court filing deadline? This MCP provides specialized tools for legal professionals dealing with US federal procedural rules. You simply give your agent an event date and specify the governing rule type. The system runs the calculation, automatically adjusting the final due date if it falls on a weekend or a recognized holiday. Before you start, you can run a check to confirm that any proposed starting date is actually viable for setting a legal clock. For reference, this MCP exposes a list of all currently supported rules, so you always know what procedures apply. Since Vinkius hosts and manages the full catalog, connecting your preferred AI client gives you access to reliable procedural calculations right where you work.

## Tools

### calculate_deadline
Determines the final filing deadline for a specific event and rule type.

### check_date_validity
Validates whether a provided date is a viable starting point for a legal clock.

### list_supported_rules
Provides a list of all legal rules currently supported by the calculator.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
Calculate the deadline for an event that occurred on 2024-01-01 using RULE_12.
```

**Response:** 
```
The final filing deadline is 2024-01-23.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
What are the supported rules?
```

**Response:** 
```
The available rules are: RULE_12, NOTICE_OF_APPEAL, and RULE_59.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Is 2024-07-04 a valid business day?
```

**Response:** 
```
No, 2024-07-04 is a holiday (Independence Day).
```

## Capabilities

### Determine Final Due Date
Input an event date and a specific rule type to calculate the exact filing deadline.

### Validate Business Day Start Date
Confirm if a given date is a legitimate, non-holiday business day for starting a legal timeline.

### View Supported Procedures
Retrieve the complete list of legal rules accepted by the calculator.

## Use Cases

### Client A's initial event was last Monday, but we need to know the true filing deadline.
You run `calculate_deadline` with the original event date and RULE_12. The result is a precise date that accounts for the weekend and any intervening holidays, giving you the absolute latest safe submission time.

### We need to check if our proposed start date of July 4th is valid.
Instead of assuming it's fine, running `check_date_validity` immediately flags that July 4th is a holiday (Independence Day). This prevents the team from wasting time on an impossible starting point.

### A new attorney joins and needs to know which procedural rules are acceptable.
The agent runs `list_supported_rules`. It instantly generates a list of available options, like RULE_12 and NOTICE_OF_APPEAL, so the new hire can proceed without calling senior staff for basic information.

### We are setting up an automated workflow that needs to validate dates before calculating anything.
The process flow first calls `check_date_validity` and then passes the confirmed date into `calculate_deadline`. This two-step validation ensures the final deadline is based on a solid, legal start point.

## Benefits

- Guaranteed Accuracy: The `calculate_deadline` tool handles federal holidays and weekends, so you never have to manually adjust dates for court filings.
- Pre-Check Viability: Use `check_date_validity` before starting any timeline. This confirms a date is actually a working day for legal purposes.
- Rule Lookup: The `list_supported_rules` function provides an immediate catalog of all accepted procedural rules, eliminating guesswork when setting up a case.
- Time Savings: Your agent gets the final deadline in seconds. You skip hours spent cross-referencing local court calendars and federal statutes.
- Focus on Law, Not Dates: By automating date math, you let your team focus its energy entirely on the legal argument, not the calendar.

## How It Works

The bottom line is, you feed your agent three specific data points into this MCP to get an accurate court deadline.

1. First, use `list_supported_rules` to confirm the specific rule type (e.g., RULE_12) you need for your case.
2. Next, run `check_date_validity` with a potential start date to ensure it’s not a weekend or holiday.
3. Finally, call `calculate_deadline`, providing both the event date and the validated rule type to get the final due date.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What rules are supported by the calculator?**
The calculator supports RULE_12 (21 days), NOTICE_OF_APPEAL (30 days), and RULE_59 (28 days). You can use the `list_supported_rules` tool to see the full list.

**How are weekends and holidays handled?**
If the calculated deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a US federal holiday, the tool automatically extends the deadline to the next available business day.

**Can I check if a specific date is a valid starting point?**
Yes, use the `check_date_validity` tool to determine if a provided date is a business day or falls on a weekend/holiday.

**What date formats must I use when calling the `calculate_deadline` tool?**
The system requires all input dates in YYYY-MM-DD format. If you provide an incorrect structure, the tool returns a validation error detailing exactly how to fix your data.

**If I use an invalid legal rule type with `calculate_deadline`, what error response do I get?**
You will receive a specific input error code. The system tells you the required format and lists only the valid rules available for your jurisdiction, preventing guesswork.

**Does using `list_supported_rules` require special authentication or setup?**
No. Once connected through any MCP-compatible client on Vinkius, this tool is immediately accessible. You don't need to manage keys or extra credentials.

**Is there a rate limit when calling `calculate_deadline` multiple times in one session?**
The service has standard usage throttling implemented by Vinkius. If you exceed the allowed calls, the system will notify you and advise when you can try again.

**When checking dates with `check_date_validity`, does it account for procedural start requirements?**
The tool validates if a date is generally a viable business day. For complex cases that have unique starting criteria not covered by standard law, you should cross-reference the output with your primary legal documentation.