Section 3.12 Elements of Res Judicata

• Library: Sources of Proof (2014 Ed.)

B. (§3.12) Elements of Res Judicata

Res judicata requires four “identities”:

1. Identity of the “thing” sued for

2. Identity of the cause of action

3. Identity of the persons and parties to the action

4. Identity of the quality or capacity of the party for or against whom the claim is made

See:

· Harmon Indus., Inc. v. Browner, 191 F.3d 894, 902 (8 ^th Cir. 1999)

· King Gen. Contractors, Inc. v. Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 821 S.W.2d 495, 501 (Mo. banc 1991)

· Prentzler v. Schneider, 411 S.W.2d 135, 138 (Mo. banc 1966)

· Palmore v. City of Pacific, 393 S.W.3d 657, 665 (Mo. App. E.D. 2013)

· Moody v. Ball, 753 S.W.2d 590, 597 (Mo. App. E.D. 1988)

· Jacobs v. Corley, 732 S.W.2d 910, 913 (Mo. App. E.D. 1987)

· Eugene Alper Constr. Co. v. Joe Garavelli’s of West Port, Inc., 655 S.W.2d 132, 136 (Mo. App. E.D. 1983)

Res judicata applies to both the parties that prevailed and the parties that lost in an earlier judgment. Palmore, 393 S.W.3d at 665. Courts scrutinize the cases carefully to determine if these prerequisites have been satisfied. If the four criteria are not met, res judicata cannot apply.

For purposes of res judicata, the requirement of identity of parties is satisfied by showing that the parties to the subsequent action are either the same as or in privity with the parties to the prior suit. See:

· Id. at 667

· Lomax v. Sewell, 50 S.W.3d 804, 809 (Mo. App. W.D. 2001)

· Smith v. Preis, 396 S.W.2d 636, 640–41 (Mo. 1965)

· Bd. of Trs. of

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