---
title: "Stipulated protective order for class-member data"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings/us-class-member-protective-order"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a7-us-class-member-protective-order"
area_id: "A7"
kind: "court-document"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A7-A20260923-1", "A7-T1-R3", "A7-T1-R12", "A7-D20261018-2"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# Stipulated protective order for class-member data

> Rule 26(c) stipulation for contact data and account identifiers of putative class members, limiting use to the case and separating a confidentiality mark from sealing.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings/us-class-member-protective-order  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

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

## Key facts

- Kind: Court document. A document filed or served in a court or tribunal.
- Practice area: [Class Actions / Representative Proceedings](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/class-actions-representative-proceedings.md)
- Jurisdictions: United States
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the 4 authorities it cites, for United States.

## When to use it

Use when class discovery will include names, addresses, phone numbers, emails or account numbers. Do not use a mark on that data as permission to file it publicly or to contact class members for a purpose outside the case.

## Used for these tasks

- [Reconcile group-member data to the class definition](https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings/reconcile-group-member-data-to-the-class-definition.md)
- [Run a first-pass review of the large discovery set](https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings/run-a-first-pass-review-of-the-large-discovery-set.md)
- [Draft group-member updates and registration communications](https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings/draft-group-member-updates-and-registration-communications.md)
- [Build the notice-distribution plan and the distribution record](https://ailawframework.com/practice/class-actions-representative-proceedings/build-the-notice-distribution-plan-and-the-distribution-record.md)

## How AI may be used

AI may adapt the stipulation from the data fields the lawyer lists. The lawyer decides who may see contact data and whether it may be used to communicate with class members.

**AI may:**

- Insert the data fields from the lawyer's list into the definition of covered data
- State the lawyer's choice on whether contact data may be used for case communications
- Flag any clause that would let a party file unredacted account numbers because they were marked confidential

**AI must not:**

- Must not decide that absent class members have consented to disclosure or to contact
- Must not draft a class notice or an opt-out form in this stipulation
- Must not file the stipulation

**The lawyer checks:**

- The fields match what is actually being produced
- Use of contact data is limited to what the lawyer has approved, and solicitation is addressed
- Rule 5.2 redaction and the court's sealing rules are left in place

## Authorities

- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c)(1)(E) and (G) (who may be present; confidential commercial information)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_26)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.2(a) and (d) (redaction of identifiers in filings; sealing by separate order)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_5.2)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(c)(2) and (d) (notice the court directs; orders to protect class members and to conduct the action fairly)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_23)
- [Fed. R. Evid. 502(d) and (e)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_502)

## 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/us-class-member-protective-order 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.*