Res judicata (claim preclusion) prevents an entire case from being relitigated once a court has finally rendered a decision, while collateral estoppel (issue preclusion) prevents specific questions that were already decided from being argued again. Together, these rules help courts avoid repeat litigation, thereby avoiding the Groundhog Day phenomenon, and ensuring that court decisions bring real closure.
Read moreThe Nuremberg Trials - On the Road to Justice (Part III)
Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
On Tuesday, October 1, 1946, those traveling the road to justice - defendants, prosecutors, and witnesses alike - reached their final destination. After 218 days, 22 men* would learn of the fate that awaited them. Following remarks by defendants on August 31, 1946, the International Military Tribunal (IMT) adjourned to consider its judgment in a trial that began on November 20, 1945.On Tuesday, October 1, 1946, those traveling the road to justice, defendants, prosecutors, and witnesses alike, reached their final destination. After 218 days, 22 men* would learn of the fate that awaited them. Following remarks by defendants on August 31, 1946, the International Military Tribunal (IMT) adjourned to consider its judgment.
Read morePlanning Ahead: A New Year’s Resolution for End‑of‑Life Preparedness
The start of a new year often invites reflection, goal‑setting, and practical planning for the future. We resolve to care better for our health, our finances, our relationships, and our responsibilities. One resolution that rarely makes the list—but can be one of the most meaningful—is preparing for the end of life. This post provides general, educational information about end‑of‑life planning, including checklists and links to trusted public resources. It is intended for those who are looking for a place to begin.
Read moreJanuary is Consumer Law Resources Month
January is Consumer Law Resources Month at the Harris County Law Library. Consumer law focuses on protecting individuals in everyday transactions—when buying goods or services, dealing with debt collectors, credit reporting issues, or resolving landlord-tenant disputes. In Texas, many of these protections come from laws like the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices–Consumer Protection Act (DTPA), which prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive business practices. At the federal level, agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and nonprofit advocacy organizations—including the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)—play a key role in enforcing consumer protections, developing policy, and providing educational resources for consumers and advocates alike.
Read moreEx Libris Yearbook 2025
Published irregularly but read consistently, Ex Libris Juris, the blog (or blawg) of the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library, continues to punch well above its weight. In 2025, the Law Library published 36 blog posts, which together drew more than 14,000 views—accounting for a remarkable 20% of all traffic to the Law Library website. For a blog that is neither daily nor news-driven, that percentage tells an important story: readers are not just visiting Ex Libris Juris—they are actively seeking it out.
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