Res judicata, which is Latin for “a matter judged,” is a legal doctrine that prevents the same parties from relitigating the same issues that have already been decided in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. In other words, once a final judgment has been rendered on a particular issue between the same parties, they are barred from bringing the same claim or issue before the court again.
Res judicata serves to promote finality and judicial efficiency by preventing parties from endlessly litigating the same issues in multiple lawsuits. It ensures that once a matter has been fully and fairly adjudicated, the parties cannot continue to pursue the same claim in subsequent legal proceedings.
There are generally three elements that must be met for res judicata to apply: (1) a final judgment on the merits has been rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction, (2) the same parties or their privies are involved in the subsequent lawsuit, and (3) the same cause of action or claim is being raised in the subsequent lawsuit.
Overall, res judicata is a fundamental legal principle that aims to promote the integrity of the judicial system and prevent parties from engaging in endless litigation over the same issues.