Res Judicata

Res Judicata is based on the principle that a judgment should be final and bars the filing of claims which were raised or could have been raised in an earlier proceeding. Together with the doctrine of Collateral Estoppel, it prevents attacks on matters already resolved in prior lawsuits. Res Judicata is sometimes referred to as claim preclusion.

The elements necessary to establish red judicata are:


 * 1) the prior decision was rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction;
 * 2) there was a final judgment on the merits;
 * 3) the parties were identical in both suits; and
 * 4) the prior and present causes of action are the same.

Papa John's Intern., Inc. v. Cosentino, Case::916 So.2d 977, 983 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005), citing ''Citibank, N.A. v. Data Lease Fin. Corp.'', Case::904 F.2d 1498, 1501 (11th Cir.1990).