Wisconsin Dismissal Without Prejudice is a legal concept that refers to the termination or abandonment of a lawsuit or legal claim by the plaintiff voluntarily, without any decision or ruling made by the court. This dismissal option is available to plaintiffs in Wisconsin, offering them the flexibility to restart or refile their claims in the future without being barred by the doctrine of res judicata, which prohibits the same parties from relitigating the same issues. A Dismissal Without Prejudice in Wisconsin signifies that the dismissal does not affect the plaintiff's right to pursue the same claim again. It is an acknowledgment that the dismissal is not a judgment on the merits of the case and leaves the possibility open for the claim to be refiled at a later time. This type of dismissal allows the plaintiff to assess their case further, gather additional evidence, or correct any procedural or technical errors. In Wisconsin, there are different types of Dismissal Without Prejudice that can be utilized depending on the circumstances of the case: 1. Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice: This occurs when the plaintiff voluntarily requests the court to dismiss the case without prejudice. It is the most common type of dismissal without prejudice, giving the plaintiff the flexibility to refile their claim in the future. 2. Settlement Dismissal Without Prejudice: When parties reach a settlement agreement outside of court, they may file a dismissal without prejudice after reaching the settlement. This dismissal signifies that the case has been resolved through mutual agreement, allowing the plaintiff to potentially refile the claim if the settlement agreement is breached. 3. Procedural Dismissal Without Prejudice: In some cases, a dismissal without prejudice may occur due to procedural issues or technical errors, such as improper service of process or the absence of jurisdiction. The dismissal gives the plaintiff an opportunity to correct these issues and refile the claim. 4. Refile After Dismissal Without Prejudice: When a case is dismissed without prejudice in Wisconsin, the plaintiff typically has a specific time frame within which they can refile their claim. It is important to note that any statute of limitations applicable to the claim must still be followed and adhered to. In summary, Wisconsin Dismissal Without Prejudice allows plaintiffs to voluntarily terminate their lawsuits while preserving their right to refile the claim in the future. This flexibility gives plaintiffs the opportunity to reassess their case, resolve any procedural issues, or explore alternative settlement options while maintaining the option to litigate the matter at a later date.