In which situations do res judicata and collateral estoppel generally apply to administrative determinations?

In which situations do res judicata and collateral estoppel generally apply to administrative determinations?

• A. Quasi-judicial admin determinations under adjudicatory authority with court-like procedures
• B. Only in non-adjudicatory determinations
• C. Not at all
• D. Only in criminal matters

Answer: (A)

Res judicata and collateral estoppel apply to administrative determinations when the agency decision is adjudicatory—made under the agency’s adjudicatory authority with a process that resembles court proceedings, including a hearing and a reasoned final decision. In those quasi-judicial settings, the agency’s final judgment functions like a court judgment, so prior proceedings can bar later claims (res judicata) or bar relitigating particular issues (collateral estoppel). That’s why the best choice describes quasi-judicial administrative determinations that proceed under adjudicatory authority with court‑like procedures. In contrast, non-adjudicatory actions (like general rulemaking or ministerial licensing decisions without a hearing) don’t produce the kind of final, court-like judgment that triggers these preclusion doctrines. Criminal matters aren’t the focus here, as the question centers on administrative decisions.

Res judicata and collateral estoppel apply to administrative determinations when the agency decision is adjudicatory—made under the agency’s adjudicatory authority with a process that resembles court proceedings, including a hearing and a reasoned final decision. In those quasi-judicial settings, the agency’s final judgment functions like a court judgment, so prior proceedings can bar later claims (res judicata) or bar relitigating particular issues (collateral estoppel).

That’s why the best choice describes quasi-judicial administrative determinations that proceed under adjudicatory authority with court‑like procedures. In contrast, non-adjudicatory actions (like general rulemaking or ministerial licensing decisions without a hearing) don’t produce the kind of final, court-like judgment that triggers these preclusion doctrines. Criminal matters aren’t the focus here, as the question centers on administrative decisions.