Scope of Rule 12(b) record

In Meyers v. Textron Inc., the Fifth Circuit affirmed the Rule 12 dismissal of a complaint on res judicata grounds.  No.13-10023 (Oct. 2, 2013, unpublished).  .Noting that res judicata is ordinarily an affirmative defense, the Court reminded: “When all relevant facts are shown by the court’s own records, of which the court takes notice, the defense [of res
judicata] may be upheld on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion without requiring an answer.” On the merits, the Court found no dispute that the plaintiffs in two cases were in privity given the control one had over the other.