The Interplay Between Res Judicata and Public Interest Litigation: Balancing Finality with Access to Justice

Author(s)	Anshika Singh
Country	India
Abstract	The present research paper focuses on the relationship between the doctrine of res judicata under Section 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which is quite complex in India. Though res judicata fulfills the main role of guaranteeing finality in the process of judicial hearings and multiple litigation is avoided, PIL is a groundbreaking initiative of increasing access to justice in the marginalized communities. This paper evaluates the manner in which these two principles, which appear contradictory to each other, are co-existing in the legal system in India and how the judges have tried to fix the dilemma of finality and social justice. The paper will also contend by looking at landmark cases and analysing doctrines that res judicata in PILs, though a pillar of procedural law, still has significant exceptions made by Indian courts, such that the concerns of the people are not unnecessarily sacrificed at the altar of procedural formalities.
Published In	Volume 6, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-24

About AIJFR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9898-79-39-59	editor@aijfr.com

Advanced International Journal for Research