Also known as: res judicata
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A doctrine that precludes relitigation of claims or issues already decided by a final judgment on the merits when the parties or their privies are the same. The doctrine applies to determine the effect of a judgment for or against one of several tortfeasors upon claims against others who may be liable for the same harm.
Ryan Roberts sued a large law firm for mishandling settlement talks in his injury case and lost after a full trial on the merits. He then sued Regina Robinson, the solo attorney who jointly represented him in the same matter. The court applies ordinary res judicata rules to decide whether the prior defense judgment bars the second action.
Rosalind Reed sued corporate officers for misleading proxy statements and sought damages. After the SEC obtained a final injunction against the same defendants in a parallel proceeding, Reed moved for summary judgment on the identical false-statement issue. The court determines whether the prior judgment precludes relitigation under res judicata principles.
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Riverstone Manufacturing sued a competitor for patent infringement and lost when the court held the patent invalid. It later sued another defendant on the same patent. The court applies res judicata to decide whether the earlier invalidity finding binds the new defendant.
Regal Apparel sued a foreign supplier for breach and obtained a default judgment. When the supplier later challenged enforcement on jurisdictional grounds, the court determines whether res judicata bars the jurisdictional attack.
Rita Russell obtained a state-court judgment against her former employer. The employer later sought a federal injunction barring enforcement on due-process grounds. The court decides whether res judicata prevents relitigation of the validity of the state judgment.
Rachel Ramirez, a class member in a nationwide settlement, later filed an individual suit raising the same claims. The court applies res judicata to determine whether the class judgment bars her separate action.
No. The effect of a judgment for or against one of several tortfeasors is governed by ordinary res judicata principles rather than any special tort rule that automatically releases the others.
Supporting sources
The prior judgment may bar the later suit only if the traditional elements of claim preclusion or issue preclusion are satisfied, including identity or privity of parties and identity of claim or issue.
Supporting sources
Yes, but only if the second defendant is in privity with a party or if issue preclusion requirements are otherwise met. The mere fact that both defendants are alleged joint tortfeasors does not create automatic preclusion.
Supporting sources
…her children pursued their own interests. When the Florida decree was entered the legatees unsuccessfully urged it as res judicata of the Delaware dispute. In a decree dated Jan. 13, 1956, the Delaware Chancellor ruled that the trust and power of appointment were valid under the applicable Delaware law, and that the…