What is a Class Action Lawsuit?

Atty. Catherine S. Pariño
International Law Matters
3 min readNov 19, 2023

--

Illustrated by Kiwi

A class action lawsuit, also known as a class suit or representative action, is a legal avenue where a group of people collectively represented by one or more members pursues litigation. Before delving into the intricacies of these lawsuits, it's crucial to grasp the fundamental concept they embody.

Certification Process

For a class action lawsuit to proceed, the class must undergo a certification process. This critical step ensures that the plaintiffs share sufficient similarities to warrant their consolidation into a single, larger case against the named defendant.

This certification is essential to streamline the legal proceedings and address the shared grievances efficiently.

The Unique Dynamics of Class Actions

In conventional lawsuits, a single plaintiff typically seeks redress for damages inflicted by one or more defendants.

The financial stakes for an individual plaintiff may justify the legal expenses involved.

However, in class action lawsuits, individual damages may not be substantial. For instance, consumers facing a common issue, such as erroneous fees or dissatisfaction with a product, can collectively address the matter without resorting to separate, costly lawsuits.

The Power of Unity

--

--

Atty. Catherine S. Pariño
International Law Matters

Lawyers are good writers. We know what to write. We dont libel someone simply by depicting them in any fictional circumstances.