Načelo Res Judicata U Međunarodnom Pravu

The phenomenon of the increasing number of international courts that do not function as a hierarchically organised system raises the question of the legal force of their decisions as regards the same legal issues. In this context, the subject of this paper is to clarify the concept of the res judicata principle in the doctrine and practice of international courts, as well as to analyse its scope and effects when the case on the same legal issue has already been decided between the same parties before different international courts. The circumstance of application of different standards in the interpretation and application of the principle of res judicata before different international courts increases the risk of overlapping jurisdiction among them. Therefore, this paper is aimed at dealing with the question of whether, and to what extent, different legal standards of interpretation of the scope of the res judicata principle affect the imminent fragile cohesion, and consequently, the institutional fragmentation of the international judicial system. In order to more clearly define the effects of the principle of res judicata, the paper points out and analyses exceptions to the application of this principle. Finally, the paper aims at clarifying the different interpretations in the doctrine on the question of the legal nature of this principle in international law.