Jay Patel v. John O. Mancini

Syllabus

The plaintiff, Jay Patel (Mr. Patel or plaintiff), a self-represented litigant, appealed from a final order of the Superior Court dismissing his complaint against the defendants, John O. Mancini (Mr. Mancini), Mancini Carter, PC (Mancini Carter), LandingPartners LLC (LandingPartners), and 1850 Post Road Owner LLC (1850 Post Road) (together, defendants), on the basis of res judicata. On appeal, Mr. Patel argued that the doctrine of res judicata should not have been applied to bar his various claims. The Supreme Court concluded that res judicata precluded Mr. Patel's claims against LandingPartners and 1850 Post Road because they were involved in an earlier breach of contract action regarding the same contract at issue in the instant case. The Court further concluded, however, that Mr. Patel's claims against Mr. Mancini and Mancini Carter were not barred by res judicata because neither were parties to nor in privity with a party to the earlier case. The Supreme Court nevertheless concluded that each of Mr. Patel's claims against those defendants failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. Accordingly, the Supreme Court affirmed the order of the Superior Court.