Opinion ID: 1575853
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether Carmichael's Claims Are Barred By Res Judicata.

Text: ¶ 8. EMC argues that, because the bankruptcy judge disallowed and dismissed Carmichael's proof of claim, she is barred from now proceeding against EMC for the same claims asserted in the proof of claim. We agree. ¶ 9. This Court has stated that res judicata is fundamental to the equitable and efficient operation of the judiciary and `reflects the refusal of the law to tolerate a multiplicity of litigation.' Harrison v. Chandler-Sampson Ins. Inc., 891 So.2d 224, 232 (Miss.2005) (quoting Little v. V & G Welding Supply, Inc., 704 So.2d 1336, 1337 (Miss.1997)). The courts can not revisit adjudicated claims and `all grounds for, or defenses to recovery that were available to the parties in the first action, regardless of whether they were asserted or determined in the prior proceeding, are barred from re-litigation in a subsequent suit under the doctrine of res judicata.' Harrison, 891 So.2d at 232 (quoting Alexander v. Elzie, 621 So.2d 909, 910 (Miss. 1992)). ¶ 10. In applying the doctrine of res judicata, there are four identities which must be present: (1) identity of the subject matter of the action; (2) identity of the cause of action; (3) identity of the parties to the cause of action; and (4) identity of the quality or character of a person against whom the claim is made. Harrison, 891 So.2d at 232 (citing Quinn v. Estate of Jones, 818 So.2d 1148, 1151 (Miss.2002) and Dunaway v. W.H. Hopper & Assocs., Inc., 422 So.2d 749, 751 (Miss. 1982)). In addition to the four identities, a fifth requirement is that the prior judgment must be a final judgment that was adjudicated on the merits. Anderson v. LaVere, 895 So.2d 828, 833 (Miss.2004).