Legal Definitions - final-judgment rule

The final-judgment rule is a principle in the legal system that states a party can only appeal a district court's final decision that ends the litigation on the merits. This means that a party must raise all claims of error in a single appeal.

For example, if a person is suing a company for breach of contract and the district court dismisses the case, the person can only appeal that decision if it is a final judgment that ends the case. If the district court dismisses the case without prejudice, meaning the person can refile the case, the person cannot appeal that decision because it is not a final judgment.

The final-judgment rule is important because it promotes efficiency in the legal system. It prevents parties from appealing every decision made by a district court and allows for a more streamlined appeals process.