What does "res judicata" function as in civil process?

"Res judicata," also known as claim preclusion, plays a critical role in civil procedure by preventing the same parties from relitigating issues that have already been adjudicated and resolved in a final judgment. This principle serves to uphold the integrity of judicial decisions and promotes the efficiency of the legal system by avoiding repetitive litigation over the same matter.

When a court has reached a final decision on the merits of a case, res judicata ensures that the same parties cannot bring a new lawsuit based on the same claim or any issues that could have been raised in the prior case. This effectively protects the finality of judgments, allowing individuals and society at large to rely on the outcomes of judicial proceedings without fear of prolonged disputes over the same issues.

The other options focus on aspects that res judicata does not address. For instance, it does not facilitate reconsideration of cases or allow for reappraisal of evidence; rather, it reinforces the notion that once a legal issue has been resolved, it should not be disputed again in subsequent litigation. Additionally, res judicata does not require parties to reach a settlement out of court; instead, it applies once court proceedings have concluded with a decisive outcome.