A class action is a proceeding brought by a single Applicant on their own behalf and on behalf of a class of people against a respondent where the Applicant and class members have similar claims against the respondent.
Class members are “bound” by the outcome in the class action unless they have opted out of the proceeding. This can happen in two ways, either a judgment following a trial, or a settlement at any time.
If there is a judgment or a settlement of a class action, class members will not be able pursue the same claim separately and may not be able to pursue similar or related claims against the respondent in other legal proceedings.