collateral estoppel

In one sentence

A legal rule preventing someone from relitigating a fact already decided in a prior case.

Plain English

Collateral estoppel (also called issue preclusion) stops you from relitigating a specific fact that was already decided in an earlier case. If a court determined in Case A that John was negligent, and John is sued again in Case B for a different incident, the fact of his negligence in Case A can't be relitigated. The rule promotes efficiency and fairness by preventing endless relitigation of the same issues. However, it only applies to facts that were actually decided and necessary to the earlier judgment.

Ad slot

Example

A driver was found negligent in a car accident lawsuit. When the same driver was sued by a different person for a separate accident involving similar facts, collateral estoppel prevented the driver from relitigating whether he was negligent.

Used in a sentence

“Collateral estoppel barred the defendant from contesting the paternity finding that had been established in the earlier divorce case.”

Related terms

Double Jeopardy

Being prosecuted or punished twice for the same crime, which the Fifth Amendment forbids.

Mistrial

A trial that is declared invalid and must be restarted.

Remedy

A legal action or payment a court awards to fix a harm or enforce a right after a breach.

Notice

A formal written communication required by a contract to inform the other party of something important.

Summons

A court order requiring someone to appear in court or respond to a lawsuit.

Stand Your Ground

A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.

Castle Doctrine

A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.

Expungement

A legal process that erases or seals a criminal conviction from your record.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.