What is the doctrine of res judicata?

The doctrine of res judicata is an important concept in Maryland civil procedure. It is a legal doctrine that prevents parties from bringing the same lawsuit twice. It is based on the principle that a legal dispute should only be litigated once and the same parties should not be allowed to re-litigate the same claims or parties. The doctrine of res judicata applies to three main elements: the same transaction, the same cause of action, and the same parties. The same transaction means that the second suit must have arisen from the same event or set of facts as the first. The same cause of action means that the second suit must involve the same legal rights and remedies as the first. The same parties means that the second suit must involve the same people as the first. In Maryland, the doctrine of res judicata applies in a variety of contexts, including appeals, dismissals, and settlements. It is an important concept because it helps to provide finality to legal disputes and prevent parties from filing multiple lawsuits for the same issue. This protects the courts from unnecessary work and allows them to focus their resources on more pressing matters.

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What is the doctrine of res judicata?

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