In litigation, what signifies a claim is barred by claim preclusion?

Claim preclusion, also known as res judicata, is a legal doctrine that prevents parties from re-litigating the same claim or cause of action that has been previously adjudicated. For a claim to be barred by claim preclusion, it is essential that the claim was previously litigated and decided by a competent court. This means that the matter has already been fully resolved, with a final judgment issued on the merits, thereby barring any further claims based on the same underlying facts or legal theories.

In establishing claim preclusion, several criteria must generally be met: the parties must be identical or in privity, there must be a final judgment on the merits, and the issues must be the same in both cases. Since the chosen answer encapsulates the essence of this doctrine, it clearly articulates the principle that once a claim has been decided, it cannot be brought again in subsequent litigation. This serves to promote judicial efficiency and finality in legal proceedings.

The other options address different legal concepts or procedural issues rather than the core principles of claim preclusion. For example, timely filing relates to statutes of limitations rather than claim preclusion. Insufficient evidence addresses the merits of a claim and does not imply a prior judgment. Similarly, issues of