Opinion ID: 1651275
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Requirements for Class Action Certification

Text: Certification of a class action is governed by Rule 52.08. Rule 52.08(a) provides that a class will be certified only if a plaintiff shows that, as defined by the plaintiff or as modified by the court: (1) the class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable; (2) there are questions of law or fact common to the class; (3) the claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of the class; and (4) the representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. Rule 52.08(a). If these four prerequisites are met, the court will certify a class if plaintiff also shows that the class falls within one of the categories set out in Rule 52.08(b). Rule 52.08(b) states, in relevant part [2] : An action may be maintained as a class action if . . . : (1) the prosecution of separate actions by or against individual members of the class would create a risk of (A) inconsistent or varying adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would establish incompatible standards of conduct for the party opposing the class, or (B) adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would as a practical matter be dispositive of the interests of the other members not parties to the adjudications or substantially impair or impede their ability to protect their interests; or     (3) the court finds that the questions of law or fact common to the members of the class predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, and that a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of the controversy. The burden to establish that the action complies with the requirements of Rule 52.08(b) rests entirely with the plaintiff.