Bar Remedial Law Practice Exam

In res judicata, once a judgment on the merits becomes final, it binds the parties not only about what was actually argued, but also about what could have been argued in that same action. The reason is to promote finality and prevent piecemeal litigation. If a ground could have been raised in the first petition, it is treated as having been raised for purposes of the judgment, so the judgment is conclusive on that matter in relation to the parties. That’s why the rule is that a judgment is conclusive on matters that could have been raised in relation thereto. The other options don’t capture this scope: a court isn’t obligated to reopen the case at will, a second petition isn’t always permitted, and the binding extends to matters that could have been raised as well as those actually pled.