What is the term for a matter that has been adjudicated by a competent court and may not be pursued further by the same parties?

The term that describes a matter that has been adjudicated by a competent court, which prevents the same parties from pursuing the same issue in future litigation, is res judicata. This principle serves to uphold the finality of judgments and is a fundamental concept in law to avoid legal disputes from being re-litigated once a decision has been rendered.

Res judicata emphasizes that once a court has made a ruling on a case, the same parties cannot bring the same claim or issue back to court. This not only conserves judicial resources but also ensures that parties can rely on court decisions as final and binding. The rationale behind this principle is to maintain the integrity of the judicial process and provide certainty and stability to legal outcomes.

The other terms listed do not pertain to this principle. Seisin relates to the possession of land, the Statute of Frauds involves requirements for certain contracts to be enforceable, and a writ refers to a formal written order issued by a court. Each of these terms addresses different legal concepts that do not encompass the broader implications of res judicata.