A recent Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal’s decision barred the pursuance of an action for a judgment on a student loan on the basis of the doctrine of res judicata. The Education Resources Institute, Inc., etc. vs. Mark W. Rickard, Case 3D04-1690 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2/8/06)In the defendant’s prior bankruptcy case, the defendant/debtor filed an adversary proceeding to determine the dischargeability of the student loan and the lender filed a counter-claim to liquidate the amount due. The Bankruptcy Court entered a judgment on the issue of non-dischargeability, but did not address the counter-claim. The 3rd District Court of Appeals held that Florida courts apply principles of federal claim preclusion to determine whether a Florida claim is barred by res judicata in cases where prior federal court judgment exists. Final judgment on the merits bar re-ligitation of claims that were peviously raised or could have been raised in the former action.
