Standing Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Standing.

Standing (n.)

Meaning: In legal terms, "Standing" refers to a party's right to make a legal claim or seek judicial enforcement of a duty or right. To possess standing, a party needs to demonstrate to the court sufficient connection to and harm from the law or action challenged.

Example: If a person's rights are directly affected by a decision or action, they have "standing" to file a lawsuit in court. However, if someone else's rights are in question and the person is not directly affected, they typically have "no standing". Special cases do exist such as trade associations having "standing" to file petitions on behalf of members affected by a decision.