Glossary · Civil Procedure
Res Judicata
res-judicata-6568c7428028d557-2026-07-28
- Type
- Glossary
- Jurisdiction
- National
- Date
- 2026-07-28
- Topic
- Civil Procedure
A doctrine, also called claim preclusion, that bars parties from relitigating a claim that was already decided by a final judgment on the merits. It applies not only to claims actually raised but also to claims that could have been raised in the earlier case arising from the same transaction. The rule protects finality and prevents parties from getting two bites at the apple.
Definition
A doctrine, also called claim preclusion, that bars parties from relitigating a claim that was already decided by a final judgment on the merits. It applies not only to claims actually raised but also to claims that could have been raised in the earlier case arising from the same transaction. The rule protects finality and prevents parties from getting two bites at the apple.
Res Judicata. A doctrine, also called claim preclusion, that bars parties from relitigating a claim that was already decided by a final judgment on the merits. It applies not only to claims actually raised but also to claims that could have been raised in the earlier case arising from the same transaction. The rule protects finality and prevents parties from getting two bites at the apple. Example: Because the contractor lost its payment claim in state court, res judicata barred it from refiling the same claim in federal court.