Rule 23. Class Actions

(a) Prerequisites.  One or more members of a class may sue or be sued as representative parties on behalf of all members only if:
    (1) the class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable;
    (2) there are questions of law or fact common to the class;
    (3) the claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of the class; and
    (4) the representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class.

(b) Types of Class Actions.  A class action may be maintained if Rule 23(a) is satisfied and if:
    (1) prosecuting separate actions by or against individual class members would create a risk of:
        (A) inconsistent or varying adjudications with respect to individual class members that would establish incompatible standards of
        conduct for the party opposing the class; or
        (B) adjudications with respect to individual class members that, as a practical matter, would be dispositive of the interests of the
        other members not parties to the individual adjudications or would substantially impair or impede their ability to protect their
        interests;
    (2) the party opposing the class has acted or refused to act on grounds that apply generally to the class, so that final injunctive relief or
    corresponding declaratory relief is appropriate respecting the class as a whole; or
    (3) the court finds that the questions of law or fact common to class members predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, and
    that a class action is superior to other available methods for fairly and efficiently adjudicating the controversy. The matters pertinent to these
    findings include:
        (A) the class members’ interests in individually controlling the prosecution or defense of separate actions;
        (B) the extent and nature of any litigation concerning the controversy already begun by or against class members;
        (C) the desirability or undesirability of concentrating the litigation of the claims in the particular forum; and
        (D) the likely difficulties in managing a class action.

(c) Certification Order; Notice to Class Members; Judgment; Issues Classes; Subclasses.
. . .

    (2) Notice.
        (A) For (b)(1) or (b)(2) Classes. For any class certified under Rule 23(b)(1) or (b)(2), the court may direct appropriate notice to the
        class.
        (B) For (b)(3) Classes. For any class certified under Rule 23(b)(3), the court must direct to class members the best notice that is
        practicable under the circumstances, including individual notice to all members who can be identified through reasonable
        effort. The notice must clearly and concisely state in plain, easily understood language:
            (i) the nature of the action;
            (ii) the definition of the class certified;
            (iii) the class claims, issues, or defenses;
            (iv) that a class member may enter an appearance through an attorney if the member so desires;
            (v) that the court will exclude from the class any member who requests exclusion;
            (vi) the time and manner for requesting exclusion; and
            (vii) the binding effect of a class judgment on members under Rule 23(c)(3).
. . .

(e) Settlement, Voluntary Dismissal, or Compromise.  The claims, issues, or defenses of a certified class may be settled, voluntarily dismissed,
or compromised only with the court’s approval. The following procedures apply to a proposed settlement, voluntary dismissal, or compromise:
    (1) The court must direct notice in a reasonable manner to all class members who would be bound by the proposal.
    (2) If the proposal would bind class members, the court may approve it only after a hearing and on finding that it is fair, reasonable, and adequate.