Common Class Action Litigation Legal Terms And Their Meanings - 3
Injunctive Relief Class Action
A lawsuit filed for the purpose of getting an order from the court directing a person to do or to stop doing a certain act. For instance, in civil rights actions certified under Federal Civil Procedure Rule 23(b)(2), the court may order public officials to discontinue unconstitutional practices.
Interlocutory Appeal
The process of a higher court reviewing a pending case to determine if a ruling made by the trial judge was correct. This type of appeal may occur in federal court under Federal Civil Procedure Rule 23(f), to allow an appellate court to determine whether a judges ruling on class certification was correct.
Intervene
When someone who is not a named party to the litigation seeks court approval to join in the suit as a named party. Generally, absent class members do not need to intervene in a suit in order to share in any settlement or favorable judgment.
Lead Counsel
An attorney approved by the court to be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the litigation for a party, usually the plaintiff.
Liaison Counsel
An attorney responsible for easing communications between the parties and the court in complex litigation.
Limited Fund Class
A class action where the assets of a defendant are inadequate to fully compensate all of the class members and the court is asked to distribute the funds received in the litigation.
Lodestar
A term used in connection with an award of attorneys fees made by a court, which is based on time spent on the case and an hourly fee. In some instances, the "lodestar" may be adjusted according to circumstances underlying the services performed, such as the merit of the services.