Slocum v. Joseph B.
This case concerns a filiation proceeding initiated by Nathan A.'s court-appointed Law Guardian to establish paternity and secure support from the respondent. The respondent argued that the proceeding was barred by res judicata due to a prior 1977 Family Court order dismissing a similar paternity petition brought by Nathan's mother. The central legal question revolves around whether Nathan is in privity with his mother, thus precluding his current claim. The court adopted a flexible approach to privity, considering the parties' actual relationship, mutual interests, and the adequacy of representation in the prior litigation. It was determined that, under the Family Court Act at the time of the prior proceeding, the mother adequately represented the child's interests. Consequently, the court found that privity existed, and the current petition is barred by res judicata, leading to the reversal of the lower court's order and dismissal of the petition.