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Simple English definitions for legal terms
entire-controversy doctrine
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A quick definition of entire-controversy doctrine:
The entire-controversy doctrine is a rule that says if someone doesn't bring up all their arguments or defenses related to a legal case, they can't bring them up later in another case. This is also called the single-controversy doctrine. It's like saying you have to bring up everything you want to argue about in one go, or you can't bring it up again later.
A more thorough explanation:
The entire-controversy doctrine is a legal principle that requires a plaintiff or defendant to assert all claims or defenses related to a controversy in a single legal proceeding. If a party fails to do so, they cannot assert those claims or defenses in a later proceeding.
For example, if a person is involved in a car accident and sues the other driver for damages, they must assert all claims related to the accident, such as property damage and personal injury, in the same lawsuit. If they fail to do so and later try to bring a separate lawsuit for the property damage, the court may dismiss the case based on the entire-controversy doctrine.
The purpose of the entire-controversy doctrine is to promote judicial efficiency and prevent parties from unnecessarily prolonging legal disputes by splitting them into multiple proceedings. By requiring parties to assert all related claims and defenses in a single proceeding, the doctrine helps ensure that all relevant evidence is presented and that the court can make a comprehensive and final decision on the controversy.