What it is
A request asking the court to let named plaintiffs litigate on behalf of a larger class of similarly situated people. Certification does not decide liability; it decides whether the case can proceed as a class action.
Pretrial / scheduling
Motion for Class Certification
Asks the court to let named plaintiffs represent a class of similarly situated people.
When it's used
Filed after pleadings and class discovery, often in consumer, securities, privacy, wage, antitrust, product, and civil-rights cases. The plaintiffs must show the Rule 23 requirements are met.
What the other side does
Defendants oppose by attacking numerosity, commonality, typicality, adequacy, predominance, superiority, ascertainability, damages models, conflicts, or manageability.
Common outcomes
Certification may be granted, denied, narrowed, or granted for specific issues only. A denial often destroys settlement leverage; a grant can multiply exposure dramatically.
Not legal advice. Motion practice varies by court,
judge, and case type. Local rules and standing orders frequently
modify the federal defaults shown here. If you're facing a motion
or considering filing one, talk to a lawyer about strategy and
timing for your specific case.