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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 New York, res judicata, or claim preclusion, prevents a party from litigating a claim that has already been decided in a final judgment by a competent court. This doctrine ensures that a party cannot bring the same cause of action against the same party once a court has made a final decision on the matter. Similarly, issue preclusion, also known as collateral estoppel, bars the re-litigation of factual or legal issues that were necessarily decided in a previous lawsuit and are material to the subsequent action, even if the claim is different from the one previously litigated. Both doctrines are grounded in the interest of judicial economy, preventing multiple lawsuits over the same matters, and ensuring the finality of judgments. New York courts apply these principles to cases within their jurisdiction, guided by state statutes and case law precedent.

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Civil procedure

res judicata and collateral estoppel

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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New-York State Code

New-York State Code

Civil procedure

res judicata and collateral estoppel

Articles