What is res judicata and collateral estoppel?

Res judicata and collateral estoppel are two concepts in civil procedure that help ensure that parties have a full and fair hearing in court. Both of these concepts are meant to prevent a case from being tried twice. Res judicata is a Latin phrase meaning “the thing has been decided.” In civil procedure, it means that a legal issue that has already been decided in a court of law is no longer up for debate in a later court proceeding. The doctrine of res judicata allows parties to trust that a previous court ruling will be respected and remain valid in future proceedings. Collateral estoppel, also known as issue preclusion, is a related doctrine of res judicata. This concept states that if a certain fact or legal issue was already decided in a previous case, it cannot be argued in a later case. For example, if a party argues that a contract is void in one case and the court decides it is valid, then the party cannot make the same argument in a later case. These two concepts protect parties from having to argue the same issues over and over again in court. As a result, they help ensure that the justice system is efficient and treats all parties fairly. Res judicata and collateral estoppel are important facets of civil procedure in Indiana and throughout the United States.

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What is res judicata and collateral estoppel?

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