Section 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 embodies the doctrine of res judicata, which dictates that once a matter has been conclusively settled by a competent court, it cannot be re-litigated in subsequent proceedings involving the same parties. This rule aims to bring finality to legal disputes and prevent endless litigation, thereby sparing parties from ongoing legal battles and expenses.
In the case of Satyadhyan Ghosal v. Deoraji Debi, the term "res" denotes "everything that may form an object of rights," while "judicata" implies "adjudged or decided." The doctrine of res judicata dates back to Roman law, where it was known as ex-captio res judicata, emphasizing the importance of finality in legal matters for the greater public good.
The doctrine of res judicata is rooted in the principle of giving conclusiveness to legal decisions. Once a matter has been settled between parties in a previous lawsuit and the decision is final, neither party can reopen the issue in future legal proceedings.
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Test: Section 80 CPC
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In the case of Lal Chand v. Radha Krishna, Chandrachud, J. elaborated on the principle of res judicata, highlighting its broader application beyond the strict letter of the law. The doctrine serves the interest of ensuring that legal disputes come to an end eventually and prevents parties from being subjected to repeated litigation on the same issue.
No court can re-examine a matter that has already been directly and extensively contested in a previous case involving the same parties or their successors, litigating under the same title.
Res Judicata essentially means that once a matter has been conclusively settled by a court, it cannot be re-litigated. Here are some examples to help clarify the conditions:
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Res Judicata: Section 11 of Code of Civil Procedure
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