---
title: "Draft the class definition from the claim theory"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings/draft-the-group-or-class-definition-from-the-claim-theory/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A7-T1-R2-US"
practice_area: "Class Actions / Representative Proceedings"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Draft the class definition from the claim theory

> Propose class-definition wording from the claim theory and the data fields the lawyer supplies, and list which Rule 23(a) prerequisite each phrase is meant to serve.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings/draft-the-group-or-class-definition-from-the-claim-theory/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Class Actions / Representative Proceedings](https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | Propose class-definition wording from the claim theory and the data fields the lawyer supplies, and list which Rule 23(a) prerequisite each phrase is meant to serve. |
| What the lawyer must review | Rule 23(a) requires numerosity, common questions, typicality and adequacy before anyone may sue as a representative. An order certifying a class must define the class and the class claims, issues or defenses (Rule 23(c)(1)(B)). You decide whether each prerequisite is met and you write the definition that is filed. Rule 11 is your certification of the legal and factual contentions in the pleading. State class-action rules are not Rule 23. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Draft the group or class definition from the claim theory](https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings/draft-the-group-or-class-definition-from-the-claim-theory.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: Propose class-definition wording from the claim theory and the data fields the lawyer supplies, and list which Rule 23(a) prerequisite each phrase is meant to serve.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Do not use Part IVA of the Federal Court of Australia Act, or an Australian class definition, in a federal complaint.
- A class proposed to be certified only for settlement is still defined in the order the court is asked to make.

## Sources

- [Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_23) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_11) (checked 2026-10-22)

## Forms and precedents for this task

| Form or precedent | Kind | AI level | Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Class-action litigation hold notice](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings/us-class-litigation-hold-notice.md) | Notice | Yellow | Internal hold for a putative federal class action, covering the merits file and the systems that show who is in the proposed class. It goes to the client's custodians, not to absent class members. |
| [Pre-filing memo: Part IVA threshold requirements and class definition](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings/part-iva-threshold-and-class-definition-memo.md) | Memo | Red | Internal memo template testing a proposed Federal Court class action against s 33C (7 or more persons, related circumstances, substantial common issue), s 33H (originating process) and the s 33N… |
| [Rule 26(f) report for a putative class action](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings/us-class-rule-26f-discovery-plan.md) | Court document | Yellow | Rule 26(f) discovery plan for a putative class action, including whether certification discovery and merits discovery should be phased, and how class-member data will be handled. |
| [Deposition outline: class representative and Rule 30(b)(6)](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings/us-class-deposition-outline.md) | Checklist | Yellow | Question outline for the deposition of a proposed class representative and for a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition on the systems that define the class. Questions only. No script of testimony. |

Signed-in accounts can read the full text of each one.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*