Which statement best describes the effect of res judicata?

• A. A matter adjudicated may be revisited in court.
• B. A matter adjudicated may not be pursued further in court.
• C. A matter may be decided by a mediator.
• D. A matter requires a new trial if new evidence emerges.

Answer: (B)

Res judicata means that once a matter has received a final decision on the merits in court, it cannot be litigated again between the same parties. This principle brings finality and efficiency to the legal process, preventing endless relitigation of the same claim or issues that were or could have been raised in the earlier action. In practice, it bars pursuing a matter further in court after a final judgment, so the correct statement is that a matter adjudicated may not be pursued further in court.

The other options describe processes or outcomes that do not capture this binding, final-bar effect: simply revisiting a matter in court would contradict finality; mediation is a separate dispute-resolution process and not the binding outcome res judicata creates; and a new trial due to new evidence is about different procedural avenues (appeal or fresh trial) and does not override a final judgment based on res judicata.