RES-JUDICATA [CPC 1908] - DIGITAL VAKEEL (MUHAMMAD AFNAN MALIK)

MUHAMMAD AFNAN MALIK

DIGITAL VAKEEL 

CONCEPT OF RES-JUDICATA

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:

         Section 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 requires that any case once decided by the competent forum must be deemed to be conclusive and binding on litigants deriving title from that adjudication.

• APPLICABLE PROVISIONS:

"SECTION 11 OF THE CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 1908"

• CROSS REFERENCE: 

1. Article 114 of the Qanoon e Shahdat Order 1984.

2. Section 403 of Code of Criminal Procedure 1898.

3. Section 26 of the General Clauses Act 1956.

• INTERPRETATION OF RES-JUDICATA:

           PLD 2011 SC 520:

           Simple Explanation: "No matter can be reopened if decided prior by any lawful/competent                                                   forum"

            

• ANALYSIS OF SECTION 11 OF THE CPC 1908:

1. NO COURT SHALL TRY:

           The term NO COURT means civil court shall not try any matter under the code of civil procedure 1908.

       2. ANY SUIT OR ISSUE:

            Resjudicata applies on both suits as well as on issues.

        3. MATTER DIRECTLY OR SUBSTANTIALLY IN ISSUE:

            Court shall not try any matter which was alleged by one party and denied by another party or a matter which ought but not alleged by the party.

        4. PARTIES MUST BE SAME:

            To invoke the Doctrine of Res-judicata, the matter must be between the same parties or parties under whom they or any if them have claim.

        5. LITIGANTS UNDER SAME TITLE:

            It means the capacity of the party in which he is appearing must be same.

         6. CASE MUST BE FINALLY DECIDED:

              Res-Judicata applies on those cases which are finally decided by a former civil court.

          7. FORMER COURT MUST BE COMPETENT:

              Former court which have finally decided the  case, must be court of competent jurisdiction.

• TYPES OF RES-JUDICATA:

1. ACTUAL RES-JUDICATA:

           If the matter has been alleged by one party and either admitted or denied by another party,it cannot be re-opened. It is known as Actual Res-judicata.

       2. CONSTRUCTIVE RES-JUDICATA:

            

            If the party have had an opportunity of asserting a ground in support of his claim, the same cannot be reopened. It is called Constructive Res-judicata. 

• EXCEPTIONS TO CONSTRUCTIVE RES-JUDICATA:

            a. Points not included in issues:

                Constructive Res-judicata shall not apply on those points which are raised in pleadings but not included in issues.

             b. Plea not available:

                 Where plea was not available at the time of filing a previous suit that plea can be claimed in fresh suit.

            c. Matrimonial Suits:

                In cases of Matrimonial nature, constructive Res-judicata does not apply.

            d. Rented Premises Ordinance:

                 Constructive Res-judicata does not apply in cases of rent.

            e. Continuing Transactions:

                In Continuing transactions application of constructive Res-judicata is not possible.

       

• CONCLUSION:

            It is concluded that any case once decided by any competent forum cannot be reopened and shall considered it a final and conclusive on the parties.

MUHAMMAD AFNAN MALIK

DIGITAL VAKEEL