---
title: "Settlement approval application checklist (Federal Court class action, s 33V and GPN-CA)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings/settlement-approval-application-checklist"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a7-settlement-approval-application-checklist"
area_id: "A7"
kind: "checklist"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A7-T1-R11", "A7-T1-R4", "A7-T1-R5"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-18"
---

# Settlement approval application checklist (Federal Court class action, s 33V and GPN-CA)

> Step-by-step checklist for seeking Federal Court approval of a class action settlement: settlement terms, the two-stage interlocutory application, the notice to class members, the evidence the Court expects and…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings/settlement-approval-application-checklist  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-18

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

Step-by-step checklist for seeking Federal Court approval of a class action settlement: settlement terms, the two-stage interlocutory application, the notice to class members, the evidence the Court expects and post-approval reporting.

## Key facts

- Kind: Checklist. Steps or checks to work through and tick off.
- Practice area: [Class Actions / Representative Proceedings](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings.md)
- Jurisdictions: Australia, Commonwealth
- AI level: Yellow. AI can help in set ways. A lawyer checks specific points before use.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-18
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-18 against the 4 authorities it cites, for Australia and Commonwealth.

## When to use it

Use from the moment settlement is in prospect at mediation, so the settlement deed, the notice and the evidence are built to the Court's requirements, and again at each return of the approval application.

## Used for these tasks

- [Draft the settlement-approval affidavit and submissions](https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings/draft-the-settlement-approval-affidavit-and-submissions.md)
- [Draft class notices: opt-out, registration and settlement](https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings.md#A7-T1-R4)
- [Model a settlement distribution scheme from the class data](https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings.md#A7-T1-R5)

## How AI may be used

AI may track the steps, check the draft notice against the practice note list and assemble the court book; the affidavits, counsel's opinion and submissions are written by lawyers.

**AI may:**

- Check a draft settlement notice against each item in GPN-CA para 15.2 and list what is missing
- Build the timetable of returns, notice dates, objection deadlines and the hearing from the orders
- Index objections and expressions of support received from class members for the lawyer to read

**AI must not:**

- Must not draft or outline any affidavit, including the solicitor's affidavit in support of approval
- Must not draft counsel's confidential opinion or summarise it in any document that is not confidential
- Must not characterise class member objections or decide whether the settlement is fair and reasonable

**The lawyer checks:**

- The settlement deed gives no releases, indemnities or covenants beyond the claims in the proceeding without class members' authority (GPN-CA para 14.4)
- The notice approved by the Court has actually been given in the way ordered, and proof of distribution is ready
- The evidence addresses each GPN-CA para 15.5 factor, and costs and funding deductions are supported and were disclosed to class members as para 5 requires

## Authorities

- [Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 33V (settlement requires approval; orders for distribution)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A01586/latest/text)
- [Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 33X(4) and 33Y (notice to group members before approval; form, content and manner of notice approved by the Court)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A01586/latest/text)
- [Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 33ZF and 33ZJ (general power to make orders; reimbursement of the applicant's unrecovered costs from damages)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A01586/latest/text)
- [Federal Court of Australia, Class Actions Practice Note (GPN-CA) paras 14 and 15 (settlement documentation, procedure, notice content, matters the parties must establish and the factors evidence should address) and para 16 (court supervision of deductions)](https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/law-and-practice/practice-documents/practice-notes/gpn-ca)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings/settlement-approval-application-checklist and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

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