Class Action Complaint
(General) (CA)

Summary

This is a general class action complaint template for use in California superior court, illustrating the basic structure for pleading the requisites for certification of an action as a class action. This template includes practical guidance, drafting notes, and optional clauses. In addition to the general requirements for a complaint, a class action complaint must include a specific section entitled "CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS," which defines the class to be represented by the named plaintiffs and describes the reasons why the action should be heard as a class action, as further explained in the drafting notes to this template. See Cal. Rules of Ct., Rule 3.761(b). For a full listing of key content covering fundamental civil litigation tasks throughout a California state court litigation lifecycle, see Civil Litigation Fundamentals Resource Kit (Federal). For further discussion of the requirements for maintaining a class action, see Class Action Fundamentals (CA). For discussion of procedures for moving to certify a class, see Class Certification Motion: Making and Opposing the Motion (CA). For general guidance on drafting a complaint, see Commencing a Lawsuit: Drafting and Filing the Complaint (CA).