NACA maintains the comprehensive “Standards and Guidelines for Litigating and Settling Consumer Class Actions” 299 F.R.D. 160, first published in 1998, fully updated in 2006, revised in 2014, and fully updated again in 2023. These standards exist to ensure that the occasional and limited misuse of the class action device does not lead to restrictions on the ability of this procedure to challenge abusive business practices.

The paper addresses the propriety of class actions when individual recoveries are small, the questionability of coupon settlements, settlements when other class actions are on file, additional compensation to named plaintiffs, the scope of class member releases, cy pres awards, attorneys fees, and improved notice of settlement.