Legal Definitions - res adjudicata

Definition: Res adjudicata is a legal term that means "a matter already judged." It refers to a legal principle that once a court has made a final decision on a case, the same issue cannot be re-litigated between the same parties.

For example, if a person sues their neighbor for property damage and the court rules in favor of the neighbor, the person cannot bring the same claim against the neighbor again. This is because the matter has already been adjudicated and the court's decision is final.

Another example would be if a company sues a former employee for breach of contract and the court rules in favor of the company. The former employee cannot bring the same claim against the company again, even if they have new evidence or arguments to present.

Res adjudicata is an important legal principle that helps to ensure finality and certainty in legal proceedings. It prevents parties from endlessly re-litigating the same issues and allows for efficient resolution of disputes.