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Civil procedure

res judicata and collateral estoppel

Res judicata is the generic term for a group of related concepts concerning the conclusive effects given final judgments. Within this general doctrine there are two principal categories: (1) claim preclusion—also known as res judicata; and (2) issue preclusion—also known as collateral estoppel.

These legal doctrines generally preclude litigants from relitigating claims and issues that were previously litigated to a final resolution or judgment.

In Massachusetts, res judicata, also known as claim preclusion, prevents a party from relitigating a claim that has already been adjudicated by a competent court and has reached a final judgment. This doctrine ensures that a party cannot bring an action involving the same claim after it has been decided upon in a previous case. Similarly, issue preclusion, or collateral estoppel, bars the relitigation of factual or legal issues that were already determined in a prior proceeding. The party against whom the doctrine is being asserted must have had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the first case, and the issue must have been essential to the judgment. These principles are designed to promote judicial efficiency, respect court decisions, and protect parties from the burden of multiple lawsuits on the same matter. Both doctrines are grounded in the Massachusetts case law and are applied by Massachusetts courts to ensure the finality of judgments.

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Civil procedure

res judicata and collateral estoppel

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Massachusetts State Code

Massachusetts State Code

Civil procedure

res judicata and collateral estoppel

Articles