Res Judicata

Definition

Res judicata is the doctrine that courts will not re-litigate the same issues between the same parties.

Purpose

The purpose of res judicata is to prevent legal disputes from being tried multiple times, ensuring finality and stability in legal proceedings by barring re-litigation of issues that have already been resolved.

Examples of Use

• If a court has ruled on a contract dispute, res judicata prevents the same parties from re-litigating the same contract terms in a new lawsuit.
• In personal injury cases, once a judgment is rendered, res judicata bars the injured party from filing another lawsuit on the same injury against the same defendant.
• Res judicata applies to both civil and criminal cases, ensuring that once a verdict is reached, the matter is conclusively settled.

Related Terms

• Collateral Estoppel: A legal doctrine that prevents re-litigation of specific issues that have already been decided in court.
• Double Jeopardy: A principle in criminal law that prevents an individual from being tried twice for the same offense.
• Final Judgment: A court's final decision on the matters presented in a lawsuit.

Notes

Res judicata promotes judicial efficiency and fairness by preventing multiple lawsuits over the same matter, ensuring that legal decisions are respected and upheld.