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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 Florida, res judicata, or claim preclusion, prevents a party from relitigating a claim that has already been litigated and decided by a final judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction. This doctrine ensures that a party cannot bring the same cause of action against the same party once a court has reached a final decision on the matter. Issue preclusion, also known as collateral estoppel, bars the relitigation of specific issues that were necessary to the outcome of a prior final judgment, even if the current litigation involves a different claim. Both doctrines are based on the principle of finality in litigation, promoting judicial efficiency and protecting parties from the burden of multiple lawsuits on the same matter. Florida courts strictly apply these principles to ensure that once a dispute is resolved, it cannot be reopened, and the parties are bound by the outcome of the original case.

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Civil procedure

res judicata and collateral estoppel

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Florida State Code

Civil procedure

res judicata and collateral estoppel

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