(a) Class members to be included in judgment The judgment in an action maintained as a class action must include and describe those whom the court finds to be members of the class. (Subd (a) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as unlettered subd effective January 1, 2002.)
Rule 3.771.Judgment
Division 7. Civil Case Management · Chapter 6. Management of Class Actions · Last amended 2007 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.771 requires the judgment in a class action to identify and describe the members of the class the court has found, and requires that notice of the judgment be given to the class in whatever manner the court directs.
Full Text of Rule 3.771
(b) Notice of judgment to class Notice of the judgment must be given to the class in the manner specified by the court. (Subd (b) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as unlettered subd effective January 1, 2002.)
Plain-English Summary
A class action judgment has to do more than resolve the dispute — it has to say who it covers. Rule 3.771 requires the judgment to include and describe the members of the class the court has found to exist. That description matters because it fixes the binding scope of the outcome: it tells everyone, including people who were never individually named in the case, exactly who is covered by the result now that the litigation is over.
The rule also closes the loop on communication with the class. Even after members received notice of certification, and perhaps notice of a settlement along the way, Rule 3.771 requires a separate notice of the judgment itself, delivered in whatever manner the court specifies, so the class learns how the case came out rather than losing track of it once the case is decided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a class action judgment have to identify who is in the class?
Yes. Rule 3.771 requires the judgment to include and describe those the court finds to be members of the class.
Is a separate notice required after judgment, even if the class already received notice earlier in the case?
Yes. Rule 3.771 requires notice of the judgment itself, distinct from any earlier notice of certification or settlement, given to the class in the manner the court specifies.
Who decides how class members are notified of the judgment?
The court specifies the manner of notice, the same way it does for other class notices under this chapter.
Amendment History
Rule 3.771 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1861 effective January 1, 2002.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from
the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: class action judgment requirements californianotice of judgment to class memberswho is bound by a class action judgment