Final answer:
Collateral estoppel, or issue preclusion, in federal courts is determined by the judges within the three-tiered federal court system. It is based on the principle of stare decisis and precedent from previous rulings, ensuring consistency and stability in legal decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who determines collateral estoppel/issue preclusion in federal courts? In the context of the federal court system, it is the judges who have the authority to decide whether collateral estoppel applies to a particular case. Collateral estoppel, also known as issue preclusion, prevents parties from relitigating issues that have been previously resolved in a court of law.
The federal court system operates on a three-tiered structure, starting with the district courts, followed by the circuit courts, and ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court. Each level of court can determine the applicability of collateral estoppel based on prior rulings. As the court system is built on the principle of stare decisis, once an issue has been decided upon by a competent court, the decision is binding on all other courts, except for the Supreme Court, which has the final say.
Adherence to precedent is crucial for the consistency and stability of legal rulings. Whether issue preclusion is applicable in a federal court case is determined by examining the facts of the current case against the facts of the case where the issue was originally adjudicated. This ensures that parties do not get multiple opportunities to litigate the same issue, thereby promoting efficiency and fairness within the judicial system.