What is the purpose of the doctrines of stare decisis and res judicata in law?

The purpose of the doctrines of stare decisis and res judicata is fundamentally about ensuring consistency and finality in legal decisions. Stare decisis refers to the principle that courts should follow precedents set by previous decisions when the same points arise again in litigation. This helps create a predictable legal environment where individuals and entities can have confidence in the outcomes of legal disputes, knowing that similar cases will be treated similarly.

Res judicata, on the other hand, is a doctrine that prevents re-litigation of issues that have already been decided by a competent court. It ensures that once a matter has been adjudicated, the same parties cannot contest the same issue again, providing legal certainty and closure to court cases.

Both doctrines work hand-in-hand to foster stability in the legal system, allowing for the coordinated development of legal principles over time while also protecting parties from the indefinite adversarial proceedings. This consistency plays a critical role in upholding the rule of law, which is essential for any legal system.