Lexapi MCP vs Questlaw Library
A side-by-side look at the Lexapi MCP and Questlaw Library MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Lexapi MCP for legal work as a local process; choose Questlaw Library for legal as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Lexapi MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Legal domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
LEXAPI_API_KEY, LEXAPI_BASE_URL. - You want tools like
lex_search, lex_get_document, lex_get_metadata.
Choose Questlaw Library when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Legal domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
QUESTLAW_VAULT_FILE, QUESTLAW_RECOVERY_CODE, QUESTLAW_ALLOW_ENV_KEY. - You want tools like
library_overview, list_cases, search_library.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Legal | Legal |
| Quality signal | 57/100 · Good | 53/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Freemium | Not declared |
| Required env vars | LEXAPI_API_KEYLEXAPI_BASE_URL | QUESTLAW_VAULT_FILEQUESTLAW_RECOVERY_CODEQUESTLAW_ALLOW_ENV_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 3 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 10 | 10 |
| Full listing | View Lexapi MCP | View Questlaw Library |
Tools & capabilities
Lexapi MCP tools 10
lex_searchStructured EUR-Lex search (text, dates, document type, author, language).lex_get_documentFull parsed document by CELEX — metadata + articles, sections, tables, annexes.lex_get_metadataMetadata only (faster than full content).lex_get_document_by_urlFetch by EUR-Lex URL (pasted from a browser).lex_recent_documentsRecent Official Journal publications (default 7 days).lex_cited_byDocuments citing this CELEX (inbound, typed edges).lex_citesDocuments this CELEX cites (outbound, typed edges).lex_citation_networkBoth directions in one call.lex_semantic_case_lawEmbedding search over EU case law (paid plans).lex_semantic_legislationEmbedding search over EU legislation (paid plans).
Questlaw Library tools 10
library_overviewWhat the library holds, its projects, courts, and tags, and the export datelist_casesEvery authority, or a filtered subset, in pagessearch_libraryOne ranked search across everythingsearch_casesSaved authorities that matchget_caseOne authority in full, with notes, quotations, and related casessearch_quotesSaved quotations that matchlist_project_casesEverything filed under one projectget_source_textCaptured text of a statute, regulation, rule, or opinionfind_citation_mentionsEvery place a draft cites an authority already in the libraryreload_snapshotRead the newest export from disk again
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Lexapi MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"lex-api-lexapi-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@lexapi/mcp"
],
"env": {
"LEXAPI_API_KEY": "YOUR_LEXAPI_API_KEY_HERE",
"LEXAPI_BASE_URL": "YOUR_LEXAPI_BASE_URL_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Questlaw Library
{
"mcpServers": {
"questlaw-library": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"questlaw-mcp@0.5.1"
],
"env": {
"QUESTLAW_VAULT_FILE": "YOUR_QUESTLAW_VAULT_FILE_HERE",
"QUESTLAW_RECOVERY_CODE": "YOUR_QUESTLAW_RECOVERY_CODE_HERE",
"QUESTLAW_ALLOW_ENV_KEY": "YOUR_QUESTLAW_ALLOW_ENV_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Lexapi MCP is categorized under Legal and uses a local stdio subprocess. Questlaw Library belongs to Legal and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Lexapi MCP for legal work and Questlaw Library for legal.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Lexapi MCP is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. Auth: api key required. Questlaw Library has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add lex-api-lexapi-mcp and questlaw-library as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Lexapi MCP has a quality signal of 57/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 3 GitHub stars. Questlaw Library has 53/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.