We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Civil

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Res Judicata?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 17,072
Share

Res judicata is a Latin term used in the legal community, meaning “the thing has been decided.” It is used to refer to cases which cannot be appealed or retried. For example, if person X sues person Y for damages in California and damages are awarded by the court, the case cannot be repeated in Oregon. Res judicata is designed to ensure that cases are not tried again and again, clogging the legal system and potentially costing vast amounts of money.

When res judicata is invoked, it means that a case cannot be appealed or tried again in new courts. Because the appeals process is an important part of many legal systems, there are therefore a number of criteria which are considered before a judge decides to invoke res judicata. As a general rule, it must be proved that a verdict in the exact same case has already been obtained in a qualified court. In the event that a case is tried again because those involved were unaware that it had already been to court, the most recent verdict is typically considered to be the binding one.

There are a number of reasons why res judicata is important. In the first place, it ensures that people cannot be taken to court over and over again for the same thing: once a verdict is reached in a suit, it is considered final. It also reduces the risk of conflicting verdicts, or litigation which drags on for years. From the point of view of the legal system, res judicata keeps the system leaner and more efficient by allowing judges to throw out cases which have already been tried and judged.

There are circumstances in which a case may be tried again, by different litigants, for example, or because radically new evidence has emerged. This is common in suits against manufacturers, who may face a multitude of suits asking for damages as a result of faulty products. A case may also be challenged on the basis of the competency of the court, with lawyers arguing that although the case has already been judged, it was not judged in appropriate circumstances, and it should therefore be tried again.

This concept is handled slightly differently in various legal systems, with notable restrictions in legal systems based on civil law, while common law systems tend to be more forgiving. In civil law, cases must be fundamentally identical before they can be rejected on the basis of res judicata, while in common law, cases merely need to bear a substantial number of similarities. Common law judges look at whether or not the issues in the claim have already been decided in a competent court, and they examine previous cases to see whether or not claims have been awarded.

Share
MyLawQuestions is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a MyLawQuestions researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.mylawquestions.com/what-is-res-judicata.htm
Copy this link
MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.