Collateral Estoppel
/ˈkɒlərəl ɛˈstɒpəl/
Definitions
- (n.) A legal doctrine preventing parties from relitigating an issue that has been finally decided in a prior case between the same parties.
The court applied collateral estoppel to bar the defendant from contesting the issue already ruled on.
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Commentary
Collateral estoppel specifically bars re-litigation of issues actually litigated and necessary to the prior judgment, distinct from claim preclusion which bars entire claims.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.