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 Nevada, res judicata, or claim preclusion, prevents a party from relitigating a claim that has already been finally adjudicated in a court of law. This means that once a court has issued a final judgment on the merits of a case, the same parties cannot bring a lawsuit on the same claim again. Similarly, issue preclusion, also known as collateral estoppel, bars the relitigation of factual or legal issues that were actually litigated and essential to the judgment in a prior action between the same parties. These doctrines are intended to promote judicial efficiency, respect court decisions, and protect parties from the burden of multiple lawsuits on the same matter. Nevada courts adhere to these principles to ensure the finality of judgments and to prevent legal disputes from being tried repeatedly.