Res Judicata
"A matter already judged" — a rule barring re-litigation of an issue already finally decided.
In Simple Terms
You can't sue over the same thing twice once a court has already given a final decision on it.
Detailed Legal Meaning
Res judicata prevents a court from trying a suit or issue that has already been directly and substantially decided between the same parties by a competent court in a former suit, and has become final. It exists to give finality to litigation and to prevent conflicting decisions on the same question.
Relevant Acts & Sections
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908Search on India Code ↗
Section 11
Common Court Usage
Raised as a bar/preliminary objection to a fresh suit covering ground already adjudicated.
Sample Usage
“The present suit is barred by res judicata, the identical issue having been decided in O.S. No. 45 of 2019.”