res judicata
noun
res ju·di·ca·ta
| \ ˈrēz-ˌjü-di-ˈkä-tə
\
\
Definition of res judicata
: a matter finally decided on its merits by a court having competent jurisdiction and not subject to litigation again between the same parties
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More Definitions for res judicata
res judicata
noun
res ju·di·ca·ta
| \ ˈrēz-ˌjü-di-ˈkä-tə, ˈrās-ˌyü-
\
\
Legal Definition of res judicata
1
: a thing, matter, or determination that is adjudged or final: as
a
: a claim, issue, or cause of action that is settled by a judgment conclusive as to the rights, questions, and facts involved in the dispute
b
: a judgment, decree, award, or other determination that is considered final and bars relitigation of the same matter
the trial court interpreted the earlier order as a dismissal with prejudice and thus res judicata as to the subsequent complaint — Southeast Mortg. Co. v. Sinclair, 632 So. 2d 677 (1994)
also
: the barring effect of such a determination
2
: a principle or doctrine that generally bars relitigation or reconsideration of matters determined in adjudication
the doctrine of res judicata precludes the presentation of issues in a post-conviction petition which have previously been decided upon direct appeal — Stowers v. State, 657 N.E.2d 194 (1995)
: as
a
: a broad doctrine in civil litigation that requires and includes the barring of relitigation of settled matters under merger, bar, collateral estoppel, and direct estoppel : former adjudication — compare bar sense 3b, estoppel by judgment at estoppel sense 2a, merger sense 4
b
: a specific doctrine that precludes relitigation of claims and issues arising from the same cause of action between the same parties and their privies after a final judgment on the merits by a competent tribunal or after some other final determination having the same effect
res judicata precludes only subsequent suits on the same cause of action; collateral estoppel may preclude relitigation of issues in later suits on any cause of action— J. H. Friedenthal et al.
— called also claim preclusion
3
: an affirmative defense based on res judicata