28 U.S.C. § 1711 — Definitions

The term “class” means all of the class members in a 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.

The term “class counsel” means the persons who serve as the attorneys for the class members in a proposed or certified class action.

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.

The term “plaintiff class action” means a class action in which class members are plaintiffs.

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.