More Thoughts On Ascertainability And Why It Matters In Deciding Whether To Certify A Class Action

Can you have a class action if you can't figure out who's in the proposed class? According to many in the plaintiffs' bar, the answer is "yes." But as we have discussed in prior blog posts, there is an emerging consensus to the contrary. Most courts agree that plaintiffs in consumer class actions have the burden of proving that members of the putative class can be identified (i.e., that the class is ascertainable). And most of those courts have held that it is not sufficient for plaintiffs to rely upon affidavits by would-be class members who attest that they fall within the class definition.

The Third Circuit adopted both of those principles last fall in Carrera v. Bayer Corp., 727 F.3d 300 (3d Cir. 2013). As we have reported, that court recently denied en banc review over objections by plaintiffs' lawyers that taking ascertainability seriously would render many class actions unsustainable.