Constitutional Law

Standing

Definition

Standing is a justiciability doctrine requiring a plaintiff to demonstrate a concrete and particularized injury-in-fact that is fairly traceable to the defendant's conduct and likely to be redressed by a favorable court decision. These three requirements — injury, causation, and redressability — derive from Article III's limitation of federal judicial power to actual cases and controversies. Prudential standing doctrines further limit access to courts, prohibiting generalized grievances and third-party standing except in narrow circumstances.

Example

An environmental group sues to enforce a regulation but cannot identify any member who has suffered a concrete injury from the alleged violation. The group lacks standing.

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