In a legal context, the term “class” has a wide range of meanings that can require a degree of unpacking. Generally, class is used to denote a group of people who share certain characteristics. These can be based on shared traits such as age, race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, and so on. This collective understanding of class is most commonly used in relation to constitutional rights and minority protections. For instance, U.S. law has traditionally provided special protection for certain classes of people, including racial minorities, the elderly, and other marginalised groups.
Class can also refer to membership of an organisation such as a trade union or professional association. In such cases, the class would not necessarily be based on specific traits but on allegiance to a collective or shared goal.
Beyond this, in a business context, class can be used to refer to a certain level or status within an organisation. For example, a business might have different classes of employees within its ranks—executives, managers, and so on. Similarly, a company might have different classes of shareholders or investors, each of whom might enjoy more or less favourable terms in relation to their investments.
No matter the context, class is a term with broad applications and implications. It is important to understand the meaning and usage of this term in order to make decisions within a legal framework.