Devlin v. Scardelletti, 536 U.S. 1 (2002)
Devlin v. Scardelletti is a significant Supreme Court case concerning the rights of class members in class action lawsuits, particularly concerning their ability to appeal settlement approvals.
Does a non-named class member who objects to a class action settlement possess standing to appeal the approval of that settlement without having formally intervened in the district court proceedings?
A non-named class member has the right to appeal a court's approval of a class action settlement if they have objected at the settlement approval hearing, even if they have not formally intervened in the proceedings.
The Supreme Court held that a non-named class member, who has objected to the settlement, has standing to appeal the district court's approval of the settlement, despite not having formally intervened.
Devlin v. Scardelletti is significant as it clarifies the procedural rights of class members in class actions, reinforcing the principle that individuals bound by judicial decisions should have an opportunity to appeal them if they object. This decision has implications for the administration of class actions, emphasizing the need for balancing efficiency with the protection of individual rights within collective litigation frameworks.