An action brought by or against the members of an unincorporated association as a class by naming certain members as representative parties may be maintained only if it appears that the representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the association and its members. In the conduct of the action the court may make appropriate orders corresponding with those described in subsection D of Section 23 of this act, and the procedure for dismissal or compromise of the action shall correspond with that provided in subsection E of Section 23 of this act.
§ 2023.2.Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations
Chapter 39: Oklahoma Pleading Code · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 2023.2 lets a suit be brought by or against the members of an unincorporated association as a class through representative parties, as long as those representatives will protect the association's and members' interests, using the same case-management and settlement procedures that apply to class actions under Section 2023.
Full Text of § 2023.2
Amendment History
Added by Laws 1984, SB 417, c. 164, §25, eff. 11/1/1984.
Plain-English Summary
Unincorporated associations, clubs, partnerships without corporate status, and similar groups, don't always have a single entity that can sue or be sued in one name. This section fills that gap: members can be named as representative parties standing in for the whole membership as a class, but only if it appears the representative parties will "fairly and adequately protect the interests of the association and its members." Once that action is underway, the court manages it and handles any dismissal or settlement using the same procedures Section 2023 provides for class actions generally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sue an unincorporated club or association as a whole, or only its individual members?
This section allows an action by or against the members of an unincorporated association as a class, using representative parties named on behalf of the group.
What has to be true of the people representing the association in the lawsuit?
It must appear that the representative parties will "fairly and adequately protect the interests of the association and its members," in the statute's own words.
What rules govern settling or dismissing this kind of case?
The same procedures that apply to dismissing or compromising a class action under subsection E of Section 2023.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: oklahoma unincorporated association lawsuit12 O.S. § 2023.2suing a club or association oklahomaoklahoma FRCP 23.2 equivalent