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res judicata :: legal definition


Res judicata - : (rayz judy-cot-ah) n. Latin for "the thing has been judged," meaning the issue before the court has already been decided by another court, between the same parties. Therefore, the court will dismiss the case before it as being useless. Example: an Ohio court determines that John is the father of Betty's child. John cannot raise the issue again in another state. Sometimes called res adjudicata.

See also: res adjudicata and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

bifurcate :: v. the order or ruling of a judge that one issue i ... is necessary. See also: bifurcation
injunction :: n. a writ (order) issued by a court ordering someo ... t. See also: injunctive relief writ
letters of administration :: n. a document issued by the court clerk which stat ... estate. See also: executor probate
letters testamentary :: n. a document issued by the court clerk which stat ... te. See also: administrator probate
peremptory writ of mandate :: (or mandamus) n. a final order of a court to any g ... ve writ. See also: mandamus mandate
political question :: n. the determination by a court (particularly the ... ne-vote," as constitutional issues.
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
temporary injunction :: n. a court order prohibiting an action by a party ... ry injunction. See also: injunction

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
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Other Law Terms - R

race to the courthouse :: n. slang for the rule that the first deed, deed of ... e also: deed judgment lien mortgage
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racketeering :: n. the federal crime of conspiring to organize to ... ("organized crime" or "the Mafia").
ransom :: 1) n. money paid to a kidnapper in demand for the ... ive. See also: abduction kidnapping
rape :: 1) n. the crime of sexual intercourse (with actual ... See also: date rape statutory rape
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ratify :: v. to confirm and adopt the act of another even th ... ligation. See also: agent principal
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ready, willing and able :: adj. fully prepared to act, as in performing a con ... o act, as in performing a contract.
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real party in interest :: n. the person or entity who will benefit from a la ... st is the beneficiary of the trust.
real property :: n. 1) all land, structures, firmly attached and in ... onal property real estate reversion
realty :: n. a short form of "real estate." See also: real e ... real estate." See also: real estate
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reasonable care :: n. the degree of caution and concern for the safet ... . See also: duty of care negligence
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