A legal procedure one party, or group, brings against a defendant as representative of a larger group. Deep vein thrombosis sufferers have acted against airlines in this way. The Civil Procedure Rules use the term ‘group litigation’ while the Legal Services Commission refers to ‘multi-party actions. UK proceedings are issued under the Group Litigation Order.

Any pension scheme member who, on or after 17 March 1987 and before 1 June 1989, joined the scheme, being a scheme which commenced before 14 March 1989, or whom the IR has agreed to be a Class B member by virtue of previous membership of a relevant scheme and, in either case has not opted to be a Class A member. The earnings cap does not apply to Class B.

A pension scheme member who joined before 17 March 1987 or who joined subsequently and whom the IR has agreed to be a Class C member by virtue of previous membership of a relevant scheme, and, in either case, has not opted to be a Class A member. The earnings cap does not apply to Class C members.

Defined by the FSA as ‘any class of insurance listed in Schedule 1 to the Regulated Activities Order (Contracts of insurance) 2001. See REGULATED CLASSES OF INSURANCE; LONG-TERM BUSINESS; GENERAL INSURANCE BUSINESS.

Private car insurance rating factor reflecting the extent of use of the car. Use solely for social, domestic and pleasure purposes is the most lightly rated with little difference in premium to include commuting to work. The highest rated category (known as class 3) is full business use including commercial travelling. The intermediate classes include more restricted business use.

1. Hull clause providing that an insured, who fails to maintain the ship’s agreed classification or follow the classification society’s recommendations in regard to seaworthiness or maintenance recommendations, faces automatic termination of hull and machinery cover. Innocent mortgagees may be protected for a limited time. 2. Floating policy or open cover clause specifying the minimum class of vessel required to carry the insured cargo. If the vessel is below the class specified, an additional premium is charged.

Organisations that survey, classify and grade ships according to their condition for insurance and other purposes. The classification clause lists nine societies including Lloyd’s Register and the American Bureau of Shipping. See A1.

A bill of lading endorsed to note some defect in the products or packaging of the goods to be shipped.