What is my role in a class action?

There are several options available to members of a class action lawsuit. The most important position is that of class representative (see below). It is very important to have people willing to serve as class representatives and many actions fail or are never brought because no one steps forward to champion the rights of the class.

While serving as a class representative is a rewarding and interesting experience, there is no requirement that a member of the class participate as a representative and, indeed, it would defeat the purpose of the class action mechanism to allow this. Those members of the class who do not serve as class representatives are known as "absent class members." The interests of the absent class members are looked after by the class representative and class counsel. In addition, the court itself plays a role in ensuring that absent members of the class are treated fairly because every class action settlement must be approved by a judge.