What is a collateral estoppel in law?
Asked by: Roselyn Gleichner | Last update: January 31, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (1 votes)
Collateral estoppel, also known as issue preclusion, is a legal doctrine that stops a party from re-litigating a specific issue of fact or law that was already decided in a previous, valid, final court case, even if the new case involves a different claim. Its goal is to promote judicial efficiency, prevent harassment, and ensure finality by preventing parties from getting a "second bite at the apple" on issues already settled.
What is collateral estoppel in simple terms?
Also known as issue preclusion. A legal doctrine that prevents a party from relitigating an issue that was resolved in a previous lawsuit or administrative proceeding, even if the issue relates to a different claim.
What is estoppel in simple words?
In simple terms, estoppel is a legal rule that stops someone from going back on their word or changing their story if someone else reasonably relied on it and would be harmed by the change. It's like saying, "You can't deny what you said or did before, because I acted on it!".
What is a final judgment for purposes of collateral estoppel?
“The collateral estoppel doctrine provides that 'when an issue of ultimate fact has once been determined by a valid and final judgment, that issue cannot again be litigated between the same parties in any future lawsuit. '
What are the four elements of equitable estoppel?
To satisfy either form of equitable estoppel, the required elements are: (1) that a representation be made by the representor, (2) where the representee assumed or expected a future legal relationship, and (3) the representor induced the formation of an assumption, to which (4) the representee reasonably relied upon, ( ...
What is Collateral Estoppel? [legal defense terminology]
What are the three types of estoppel?
by representation of fact, where one person asserts the truth of a set of facts to another; promissory estoppel, where one person makes a promise to another, but there is no enforceable contract; and. proprietary estoppel, where the parties are litigating the title to land.
What is equitable estoppel in simple terms?
Equitable Estoppel is a legal principle which means that, in certain cases, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) can order the department to stop doing something because it is not fair to a client i.e. overpayment.
What three conditions must be met before the principle of promissory estoppel can be applied?
The doctrine of promissory estoppel is invoked in the interests of justice when three conditions are met: (1) the promise is one that the promisor should reasonably expect to induce the promisee to take action or forbear from taking action of a definite and substantial character; (2) the action or forbearance is taken; ...
What are the exceptions to collateral estoppel?
If there are changes in facts essential to a judgment, collateral estoppel will be inapplicable in a subsequent action raising the same issues.
What is offensive collateral estoppel?
Offensive collateral estoppel is a type of collateral estoppel (also termed issue preclusion), the doctrine barring a party from re-litigating an issue decided against that party in an earlier action, even if the second action is significantly different from the first.
What is the burden of proof for estoppel?
Estoppel is considered an affirmative defense and the burden is on the defendant to prove the requirements of the defense are met. Court Opinions; POL. Affirmative defenses such as estoppel must be pled by the defendant and should be raised at the first opportunity to avoid the risk of waiver.
What are some famous estoppel cases?
Cases - Collateral estoppel or res judicata
- Dupree v. Younger. ...
- Federated Department Stores, Inc. v. ...
- Ford v. Ford. ...
- Lance v. Dennis. ...
- Lucky Brand Dungarees Inc. v. ...
- Parklane Hosiery Company, Inc. v. ...
- Semtek International, Inc. v. ...
- Taylor v. Sturgell.
Is an estoppel legally binding?
An estoppel certificate is a legally binding document whereby a tenant represents or promises certain things regarding its lease or rental agreement to be true.
What does estoppel mean legally?
Estoppel is an equitable doctrine, a bar that prevents one from asserting a claim or right that contradicts what one has said or done before, or what has been legally established as true. Estoppel may be used as a bar to the re-litigation of issues or as an affirmative defense.
What are the three types of collateral?
Three broad categories of collateral are tangible assets (like real estate, vehicles, inventory), financial assets (like stocks, bonds, savings accounts, CDs), and sometimes intangible assets or future income (like accounts receivable or future paychecks for very short-term loans). Lenders categorize collateral based on liquidity and value, with common examples including property, equipment, inventory, and marketable securities, used to secure loans for individuals and businesses.
What are the criticisms of collateral estoppel?
In other words, collateral estoppel is a less significant vehicle for attaining judicial economy than is claim preclusion because, by definition, collateral estoppel only applies when claim preclusion does not wholly bar subsequent litigation between parties.
What are some examples of collateral estoppel?
An example of where the requirements of collateral estoppel were met is in O'Toole (22 NY3d 335). There, the defendant was acquitted of robbery in the first degree based on the alleged display of a firearm and convicted of robbery in the second degree based on being aided by another.
Which 5 things must be present for promissory estoppel to operate?
Promissory Estoppel
- The defendant made a clear and unambiguous promise.
- The plaintiff acted in reliance on the defendant's promise.
- The plaintiff's reliance was reasonable and foreseeable.
- The plaintiff suffered an injury due to reliance on the defendant's promise.
What is the purpose of collateral estoppel?
Collateral estoppel prevents someone from bringing the same grievance back to court as the plaintiff when a judge has already issued a ruling. This is to ensure that the court does not waste time litigating the same case multiple times.
What must you prove in a successful promissory estoppel case?
The elements of promissory estoppel include a clear promise, reasonable reliance, and resulting injustice if the promise is not enforced. Legal requirements for promissory estoppel vary by jurisdiction but generally involve the promisor making an assurance that leads to substantial reliance.
Is estoppel a claim or defence?
Although estoppel is an equitable remedy, generally thought to be used as a shield rather than a sword – essentially a defence to a claim rather than a claim in itself – it is increasingly common that estoppel will form a claim in its own right.
What damages are recoverable in a case of promissory estoppel?
Damages in a promissory estoppel case are usually equal to the amount of money lost due to the employee's reliance on the employer's promise, including those arising directly from the breach as well as those that are the consequences of special circumstances known by, or reasonably supposed to have been contemplated by ...
What is the Evidence Code 623?
California Code, Evidence Code - EVID § 623
Whenever a party has, by his own statement or conduct, intentionally and deliberately led another to believe a particular thing true and to act upon such belief, he is not, in any litigation arising out of such statement or conduct, permitted to contradict it.
What is detrimental reliance in law?
Detrimental reliance refers to a legal concept in contract law where one party suffers harm or incurs a loss as a result of relying on the promises or representations made by another party.
What is promissory estoppel for dummies?
In the simplest terms, promissory estoppel means that one party can't recant or reject the existence of a contract, or promise, because doing so would discount the consideration involved. As stated previously, the promise compensates for the absence of consideration.