Understanding Res Judicata: Can It Impact Industrial and Labor Disputes?

What is meant by Res judicata in legal terms?

Res judicata, a Latin term meaning "a matter judged," refers to the legal doctrine that once a matter has been adjudicated by a competent court, it cannot be re-litigated between the same parties. This principle aims to promote finality and certainty in legal proceedings, preventing parties from endlessly pursuing the same issue through multiple lawsuits.

Is this provision applicable to industrial and labor matters?

Regarding its applicability to industrial and labor matters, res judicata can certainly apply in these contexts. If an employment dispute or a labor-related issue has already been resolved through a judicial process, the principle of res judicata would prevent the same parties from bringing the same claim again in court. This rule helps in avoiding inconsistent judicial decisions and ensures that legal disputes are resolved conclusively.

In summary, res judicata plays a crucial role in the legal system by promoting the stability of judgments and protecting parties from repetitive litigation.

'Res judicata' is a legal ban on the perusal of a case by the same parties which stands already adjudicated by a competent court. It is also called "Claim preclusion." It is governed by sec. 11 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908. Its objectives are that no man shall be vexed twice by litigation on the same dispute, the verdict of a Court must be accepted as final, and there must be no endless litigation on the same subject matter between the same parties.

Types of Res Judicata

There are two types of res judicata, viz., Actual res judicata and Constructive res judicata.

Simply put, the doctrine of res judicata imposes a ban on relitigation by the same parties of the same issue already decided by a competent court.

However, it doesn't apply to appeals against the lower court judgments and revision petitions filed before the same court.

As this is a general and universal principle of law, it equally applies to labor and industrial matters.