Opinion ID: 45527
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Res Judicata Generally

Text: 11 To determine the preclusive effect of a state court judgment in a federal action, federal courts must apply the law of the state from which the judgment emerged. Amica Mut. Ins. Co. v. Moak, 55 F.3d 1093, 1096-97 (5th Cir.1995). Under Mississippi law, the doctrine of res judicata bars parties from litigating claims within the scope of the judgment in a prior action. Anderson v. LaVere, 895 So.2d 828, 832 (Miss.2004). This includes claims that were made or should have been made in the prior suit. Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). Res judicata reflects the refusal of the law to tolerate a multiplicity of litigation. Little v. V & G Welding Supply, Inc., 704 So.2d 1336, 1337 (Miss.1997). It is a doctrine of public policy designed to avoid the expense and vexation attending multiple lawsuits, conserve judicial resources, and foster reliance on judicial action by minimizing the possibilities of inconsistent decisions. Harrison v. Chandler-Sampson Ins., Inc., 891 So.2d 224, 232 (Miss.2005) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). 12 Under Mississippi law, four identities must be present before the doctrine of res judicata will apply: (1) identity of subject matter; (2) identity of the cause of action; (3) identity of the parties; and (4) identity of the quality or character of a person against whom a claim is made. Id. ; see also Green v. Amerada Hess Corp., 707 F.2d 201, 206-07 (5th Cir.1983). If these four identities are present, the doctrine of res judicata will prevent the parties from relitigating all issues that were decided or could have been raised in the previous action. Harrison, 891 So.2d at 232.