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What does "res judicata" refer to in legal terminology?

  1. A settled case

  2. A legal precedent

  3. An ongoing trial

  4. A court's intervention

The correct answer is: A settled case

"Res judicata" translates from Latin to "a matter judged" and refers to the legal principle that a final judgment by a competent court is conclusive regarding the parties involved and cannot be relitigated in subsequent actions. This doctrine serves to protect parties from the burden of having to defend against claims that have already been decided, thereby promoting the finality of judgments and judicial efficiency. In this context, a settled case aligns perfectly with the concept of "res judicata" as it emphasizes the notion that once a case has been decided and a judgment rendered, the matter is considered settled and closed, preventing any further legal action on the same issue between the same parties. This principle plays a crucial role in upholding the integrity of judicial decisions and ensuring that legal disputes are resolved definitively.