The doctrine that bars bringing a second lawsuit on the same claim after final judgment is known as what?

• A. Collateral estoppel
• B. Judgment in rem
• C. Res judicata
• D. Double jeopardy

Answer: (C)

Res judicata means a final judgment on the merits bars bringing another lawsuit based on the same claim. Once a court has entered judgment, the claim is considered adjudicated, and the party cannot relitigate the same cause of action, even if a different legal theory or amount is proposed. This protection applies to the same parties (or their successors) and typically to claims arising from the same transaction or occurrence.

Collateral estoppel is related but different: it prevents relitigation of specific issues that were actually litigated and essential to the prior judgment, not the entire claim. Judgment in rem deals with rights or claims against property itself, not with preventing subsequent suits on the same claim. Double jeopardy concerns criminal prosecutions and bars multiple punishments for the same offense, not civil claims.