The legal document discusses the principle of res judicata in the context of connected suits that are tried together and decided by a common judgment. It emphasizes that when two suits are consolidated and a single judgment is issued, the finality of the decision in one suit, in the absence of an appeal, renders any subsequent appeal against the other suit's findings barred by res judicata (!) (!) (!) .

The document clarifies that separate decrees are often issued in consolidated cases, but the key factor is whether the issues and findings are interconnected and whether the judgment covers both suits comprehensively. If only one decree is challenged through an appeal, and the other remains unchallenged, the unchallenged decree's finality prevents further proceedings on related issues, thus operating as res judicata (!) (!) (!) .

Furthermore, the document discusses the importance of filing appeals against all adverse decrees in connected suits. Failure to do so results in the unchallenged decree becoming final, which then precludes the filing of subsequent appeals or proceedings on the same issues. This principle is reinforced by the understanding that a judgment in one connected suit, once final, effectively bars relitigation of the same issues in other suits, even if they were decided together (!) (!) .

The document also highlights that procedural rules and principles of res judicata are grounded in ensuring finality and preventing conflicting judgments. It underscores that the non-filing of an appeal against a connected suit's decree, especially when the suits are tried together or involve common issues, leads to the conclusion that the unchallenged decree is res judicata, and further proceedings on the same issues are barred (!) (!) (!) .

In summary, when connected suits are decided by a common judgment, and only one appeal is filed against one of the decrees, the finality of the unchallenged decree prevents subsequent appeals or proceedings concerning the same issues, thereby upholding the doctrine of res judicata and ensuring judicial consistency and finality (!) (!) (!) .