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.

Because of the potentially large stakes and scope of class action litigation, as well as the existence of absent parties, there are key federal rules and statutes governing class actions. 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, and appealing certification decisions.

This Toolkit compiles resources devoted to causes of action that lend themselves to class action litigation.