What is the doctrine of collateral estoppel?

Collateral estoppel is a doctrine used in civil procedure in Massachusetts and many other states. It is an issue preclusion doctrine that prevents parties from relitigating an issue already determined in a prior proceeding. It is based on the idea that parties should not be able to argue the same issue in multiple proceedings. When collateral estoppel applies, a party is not allowed to relitigate an issue that was already decided in a prior case. The parties involved in the prior case must have had an opportunity to litigate the issue, and the issue must be essential to that case’s prior judgment or order. The prior decision must also be final, meaning the case had been fully litigated and the appeals period had expired. For example, if one party brought a personal injury case against another and the court found that the defendant was negligent, the defendant cannot relitigate the issue of negligence in a subsequent case based on the same facts. The doctrine of collateral estoppel is meant to prevent parties from constantly relitigating the same issues.

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What is the doctrine of collateral estoppel?

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