Res judicata

Definition

A legal doctrine meaning 'a matter already judged' that prevents the same parties from relitigating issues that have been finally decided by a court. Even void judgments can have preclusive effect under this doctrine if a party has already had an opportunity to challenge the judgment's validity.

Examples

• •Respondent argued that courts can give preclusive effect to even concededly void judgments if a party unsuccessfully challenged subject matter jurisdiction, barring relitigation under res judicata.

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