A class action is a procedural mechanism by which a large group of similarly situated plaintiffs (or defendants) may try to prosecute (or defend) a lawsuit based on common claims as a class, instead of as individuals. A class action generally consists of one or more named class representatives and additional absent, unnamed class members.

Specific federal rules and statutes govern class actions due to the potentially large stakes and scope of class action litigation, as well as the existence of absent parties. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 provides certain requirements for class actions including certifying a class action, notifying absent class members of the class action, conducting the action, settling the case, providing notice of a proposed class settlement, handling class member objections, appointing class counsel, requesting and awarding attorneys' fees, and appealing certification decisions.

This Toolkit offers resources designed to help counsel with issues related to settling class actions.