Registration or claim: what's the difference?

A registration allows you to stay informed when important stages in the class action are reached. A person who thinks they may be included in a class action can register with class counsel, often on the firm’s website, by providing their contact details. They can then receive an email or letter whenever there are developments regarding the class action.

Registration often requires filling out an online form which includes questions specific to the case to help class counsel manage the file.

On the other hand, a claim is a way to obtain compensation when a person is a class member.

As with the registration process, a person must generally fill out a form when making a claim. Sometimes, they must also submit certain documents to support their claim. Apart from these formal similarities, registering and claiming are two very different processes.

During the claims process, the Court appoints a “claims administrator.” Usually, the administrator is an external and independent firm, such as Proactio.

The administrator’s role is to analyze the claims received to determine whether those who filed a claim (the “claimants”) are indeed class members and therefore eligible for compensation.

To distinguish registering from claiming, you must consider the current stage of the class action. You can register as soon as a class action is launched (when the application for authorization is filed) and until it is time to file a claim.

The claim is filed during what is known as the “claim period,” which normally follows a final court judgment on the merits of the case or a judgment approving a settlement agreement. In other words, the claim period starts when compensation for class members is approved.