Since the mid-1970s in the U.S., and later in Canada, many class actions have been settled by "coupon settlements". So-called because members receive compensation similar to the "coupons" found in the circulars of major grocery or drug store chains.

In effect, members generally obtain a "rebate" that will reduce the purchase price of a good (or service) from the defendant.

However, these settlements are the subject of fierce criticism, which has a negative impact on the credibility of class actions. We therefore carried out a study to identify the various problems raised by these settlements, to identify the advantages and disadvantages for the parties involved, to carry out a survey of the main settlements in Canada and to develop a grid to help us analyze them.