The Doctrine of Lis Pendens prohibits multiple simultaneous lawsuits between the same parties on the same issue, ensuring judicial efficiency and preventing conflicting judgments. It bars secondary suits when a primary suit is pending.

Key elements – 

1. A pending lawsuit refers to a court case currently underway, not yet finalized or dismissed with ongoing litigation or adjudication.
2. Same parties refer to identical plaintiffs and defendants in both the original and subsequent lawsuits, sharing identical interests.
3. Same cause of action refers to identical claims, facts and legal grounds in both the original and subsequent lawsuits.

Illustration – 

A divorce case is pending between husband and wife in Court X. The wife files another case in Court Y seeking division of the same marital assets. The Doctrine of Lis Pendens applies, barring the second case from proceeding.

Exception – 

1. Different jurisdiction refers to separate courts or tribunals with distinct authority, allowing parallel lawsuits on the same issue in varying venues.
2. Interim relief exceptions allow temporary measures like injunctions, stays or attachments in pending lawsuits, despite the Doctrine of Lis Pendens.
3. Appeals are exceptions to the Doctrine of Lis Pendens, allowing higher courts to review and reconsider original judgments or orders.

The Doctrine of Lis Pendens promotes judicial efficiency, prevents conflicting judgments and ensures that legal issues are resolved in a single, definitive proceeding.