28 U.S.C. § 1711: Definitions

In this chapter:(1) Class.—The term “class” means all of the class members in a class action. (2) Class action.—The term “class action” means any civil action filed in a district court of the United States under rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or any civil action that is removed to a district court of the United States that was originally filed under a State statute or rule of judicial procedure authorizing an action to be brought by 1 or more representatives as a class action. (3) Class counsel.—The term “class counsel” means the persons who serve as the attorneys for the class members in a proposed or certified class action. (4) Class members.—The term “class members” means the persons (named or unnamed) who fall within the definition of the proposed or certified class in a class action. (5) Plaintiff class action.—The term “plaintiff class action” means a class action in which class members are plaintiffs. (6) Proposed settlement.—The term “proposed settlement” means an agreement regarding a class action that is subject to court approval and that, if approved, would be binding on some or all class members.