Common Class Action Litigation Legal Terms And Their Meanings - 4
Notice
A court-ordered document informing class members of the nature of proceeding and their rights and responsibilities in the litigation.
Numerosity
A finding by the court that so many potential class members are involved that it isnt practical to name them all in the complaint and have them all actively participate in the litigation.
Opt Out
The act by which a class member excludes himself from a class proceeding. This action generally has the effect of not binding the class member who opts out to any judgment in the case. It also has the effect of excluding any such class member from being able to participate in any settlement or favorable judgment.
Objector
An individual who opposes some aspect of the proposed settlement of a class action.
Representative Plaintiff
A person who is actually named in a class action complaint as the plaintiff in the litigation, as contrasted with "absent" class members who are not individually named.
Publication
Publishing a court-approved notice of class action in the newspapers or through television or radio ads.
Steering Committee
A group of lawyers representing a party, usually the plaintiffs, who collectively meet, assign work, and make strategic decisions in complex litigation. Often Lead Counsel oversees or heads this committee.
Typicality
A requirement that the class representatives claims are "typical" (but not necessarily identical) to those of the absent class members.