What is the doctrine of res judicata in civil litigation?

The doctrine of res judicata is a legal principle that prevents a person from re-litigating a claim that has already been determined by a court of law. This principle applies to civil litigation cases in Arizona. Res judicata is also known as claim preclusion, or the “law of the case.” Essentially, the doctrine of res judicata means that once a court makes a decision on an issue, that issue cannot be re-litigated in future proceedings or in other court cases. This principle is important because it prevents a party from endlessly continuing to litigate a claim, which can be costly and time-consuming. There are two primary forms of res judicata in Arizona: claim preclusion and issue preclusion. Claim preclusion means that if a court has already determined an issue, the same parties cannot re-litigate that issue. Issue preclusion means that if a court has already determined an issue, that same issue cannot be re-litigated even if the parties are different. Overall, the doctrine of res judicata serves an important purpose in civil litigation in Arizona. It prevents parties from relitigating an issue that has already been determined, saving time and money. It also serves to protect parties by providing finality to court proceedings.

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What is the doctrine of res judicata in civil litigation?

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