Improve error messages in controllers

**Description**
Currently middleware lacks proper pagination support.

**Proposed solution**
Add configurable pagination with sensible defaults.

**Priority**: Low/Medium

The issue names no files, tests, or entry points; start by locating the middleware and controller pagination paths and checking existing request-list behavior. Done means pagination is configurable and uses sensible defaults, with the resulting behavior verified.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.