Res Judicata (2014 caselaw snips)

Res judicata (14th Court of Appeals Houston)

A party claiming the affirmative defense of res judicata must prove (1) a prior final determination on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction; (2) identity of parties or those in privity with them; and (3) a second action based on the same claims as were or could have been raised in the first action. Travelers Ins. Co. v. Joachim, 315 S.W.3d 860, 862 (Tex. 2010); McNeil Interests, Inc. v. Quisenberry, 407 S.W.3d 381, 387 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2013, no pet.).

SOURCE: HOUSTON COURT OF APPEALS -  14-13-00113-CV - 7/15/2014

Res Judicata Doctrine (First Court of Appeals 2014)

The doctrine of res judicata bars parties from collaterally attacking a prior final judgment. Matthews Constr. Co. v. Rosen, 796 S.W.2d 692, 694 (Tex. 1990). A party seeking dismissal of a suit based on res judicata must prove (1) the existence of a prior final judgment on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction, (2) identity of parties or those in privity with them, and (3) a subsequent action based on the same claims that were or could have been raised in the prior action. Travelers Ins. Co. v. Joachim, 315 S.W.3d 860, 862 (Tex. 2010); Houtex Ready Mix Concrete & Materials v. Eagle Constr. & Envtl. Servs., L.P., 226 S.W.3d 514, 519 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.). "[A] judgment is final for the purposes of issue and claim preclusion `despite the taking of an appeal unless what is called an appeal actually consists of a trial de novo.'" Scurlock Oil Co. v. Smithwick, 724 S.W.2d 1, 6 (Tex. 1986) (op. on reh'g) (quoting RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF JUDGMENTS § 13 cmt. f (1982)).

Res judicata applies to persons in privity with a party to the prior judgment—that is, a person who is so connected with a party to the prior judgment that the party represented the same legal right. See Benson v. Wanda Petroleum Co., 468 S.W.2d 361, 363 (Tex. 1971). For purposes of res judicata, this identity of interest exists when: (1) the person can control an action even if he is not a party to it; (2) the party to the prior action represented the person's interests; or (3) the person is a successor-in-interest to the party in the prior action. Amstadt v. U.S. Brass Corp., 919 S.W.2d 644, 653 (Tex. 1996). To determine whether res judicata bars a subsequent suit, we examine the circumstances of each case to identify any interests the parties may share. See Getty Oil Co. v. Ins. Co. of N. Am., 845 S.W.2d 794, 800-01 (Tex. 1992).

SOURCE: FIRST COURT OF APPEALS IN HOUSTON -

Res Judicata (Corpus Christi Court of Appeals) 

Res judicata prevents the relitigation of a claim or cause of action that has been finally adjudicated, as well as matters that, with the use of diligence, should have been litigated in the prior suit. Barr v. Resolution Trust Corp. ex rel. Sunbelt Fed. Sav., 837 S.W.2d 627, 628 (Tex. 1992). To be entitled to res judicata, the moving party must establish: (1) a prior final judgment on the merits was rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction; (2) the parties are identical or in privity; (3) the pending action is based on the same claims that were raised or could have been raised in the previous action. Id.

SOURCE: CORPUS CHRISTI COURT OF APPEALS- 13-12-00452-CV  5/29/2014