Court Opinion

ID: 9633925
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 12:07:59.98557+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:08:45.544698
License: Public Domain

CROCKETT, Justice,
concurring, with comment.
I concur but add this comment:
I do not agree with the generality from the case of Cantlay and Tanzola v. Public Service Commission (footnote 5, main opinion) that res judicata applies only to judicial decisions and does not apply to those of the Public Service or other administrative bodies. It is accurate as applied to that case; and it reflects what is sometimes stated to be the general rule, but it will actually be found to apply to particular fact situations in cases cited to support it.
The basis of such a general statement undoubtedly arises from the fact that the situation with respect to carriers and other public utilities is so often a constantly changing one. However, if the fact situation and the legal issues are exactly the same, I see no reason why a decision of the Commission should not be res adjudicata as to such facts and issues, the same as in any other legal proceeding; and there are good and sufficient reasons why the parties should not be permitted another, and what could be indefinitely repeated other trips on a merry-go-round of the same litigation. See U. S. v. Utah Construction & Mining Co., 384 U.S. 394, 86 S.Ct. 1545, 16 L.Ed.2d 642; Hollywood Circle v. Dept. of Alcoholic Bev. Com., 55 Cal.2d 728, 13 Cal.Rptr. 104, 361 P.2d 712.
WILKINS, J., concurs in the views expressed in the concurring opinion of Mr. Justice Crockett.
HENRIOD, C. J., does not participate herein.