Opinion ID: 1843606
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Invalidation of the Harper Class

Text: One conclusion that is compelled by Pinto, however, is that the scope of the Harper and other classes must be reexamined in light of our holding in that case. The Pinto intervenors correctly observe that at various times throughout this litigation, it has been alleged that some, or all, of the individuals in their putative classes were included in the Harper class, or some other class. Pinto, 662 So.2d at 899 n.3. Not only does logic dictate[] that the interests of Alabama citizens would best be served through a larger number of smaller, discrete classes than the fewer, more inclusive classes initially certified in this action, id. at 899; it also dictates that those larger classes must be narrowed to exclude those individuals who will be included in the discrete classes ultimately certified. It is clear, therefore, that the ultimate certification of the Pinto classes will necessitate the modification of the Harper class and any other classes affected. This result does not, however, compel the conclusion that the Harper class is ipso facto invalid, or that the class action was invalid ab initio, as the Pinto intervenors argue. The proper appellate remedy for class overbreadth is an order to narrow the class rather than an order to decertify the class action. Ex parte Central Bank of the South, 675 So.2d 403 (Ala.1996) (petition for a writ of mandamus denied to the extent it sought decertification of a class action; granted to the extent it sought narrowing of the scope of a class); Ex parte Gold Kist, Inc., 646 So.2d 1339 (Ala.1994) (petition for a writ of mandamus denied to the extent it sought decertification of a class action; granted to the extent it sought narrowing of the scope of a class). Thus, we hold that the scope of the Harper class does not invalidate the Liability Phase.