A class action is a type of lawsuit in which one or a few plaintiffs seek to represent hundreds or thousands of plaintiffs with the same or similar claims against the same defendants. Rules of procedure in state and federal courts permit class actions in limited circumstances for the purpose of resolving similar disputes more efficiently than if each plaintiff filed a separate lawsuit.
In Idaho, class action lawsuits are governed by Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 23, which is similar to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23. These rules allow one or more plaintiffs to represent a larger group, or 'class', in a lawsuit if the class is so numerous that individual lawsuits would be impractical, there are questions of law or fact common to the class, the claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of the class, and the representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. The court must certify the class for the case to proceed as a class action. This process is designed to promote efficiency and consistency in the resolution of numerous similar legal issues, and it can be particularly useful in situations such as consumer fraud, securities litigation, and employment disputes. However, class actions are complex and must adhere to strict procedural rules, so an attorney with experience in class action litigation is typically necessary to navigate the process.