What legal principle prevents new evidence after a grievance decision?

Full question:

I know that for a grievance case where the union is being charged with wrong doing the following applies: 'in assessing the evidence, proof of conduct that occurred more than six months before the filing of the charge may be considered in determining if the union violated the law within the six month period'. My question there must be something that states that once the grievance has been decided no more evidence can be considered. What would that be called or what would be a case that could be referenced? The word that comes to me is jeopardy but I do not know if that is correct. Please do not send this to anyone who works for or is paid by a union.

Answer:

The legal principle that prevents new evidence from being considered after a grievance decision is known as res judicata. This Latin term means "a thing decided" and prevents relitigation of cases between the same parties regarding the same issues. Once a final judgment is reached, subsequent judges will apply res judicata to uphold the original decision.

Additionally, issue estoppel can apply when a specific issue has already been litigated and decided between the same parties. This means that if an essential element of the claim or defense has been determined, it cannot be reopened in a different proceeding involving the same parties.

In summary, res judicata prevents relitigating the same case, while issue estoppel prevents relitigating specific issues that have been resolved. These doctrines help maintain the integrity of legal decisions and ensure finality in legal proceedings.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

When someone files a grievance against you, it initiates a formal complaint process, typically within a workplace or union context. The grievance outlines specific issues or violations, and an investigation follows. You may need to respond to the grievance, and a hearing or meeting might be held to discuss the matter. Ultimately, a decision will be made regarding the grievance, which can impact your employment or relationship with the union. It's important to understand your rights and any procedures outlined in your workplace policies or union agreements.