How is claim preclusion related to joinder?

Claim preclusion, also known as res judicata, is closely related to the concept of joinder because it helps establish a framework that prevents the relitigation of claims that a party could have joined in an earlier action. When parties engage in litigation, they are not only bound by the outcomes of the claims they choose to raise but are also expected to consolidate any related claims they could have brought in that same action. By forbidding the relitigation of those claims in subsequent actions, claim preclusion serves to promote judicial efficiency and finality.

This principle means that if a party had the opportunity to assert certain claims in a previous lawsuit but failed to do so, they are generally precluded from bringing those claims later in a different action. This aspect underscores the importance of joinder, as it encourages parties to present all relevant claims together to avoid piecemeal litigation and ensure all related disputes are resolved in a single legal proceeding. Through this relationship, claim preclusion effectively reinforces the system of joinder by discouraging the separation of related claims into different lawsuits.