DocketXStanding
Standing is the legal requirement that you must have a personal stake in the outcome of a lawsuit to bring it to court.
What it actually is
Standing is a threshold issue that determines whether a court can hear a case at all. It appears early in litigation, often raised by a motion to dismiss, and requires that the plaintiff show a concrete injury, a causal link to the defendant's conduct, and a likelihood that a court ruling will remedy the harm.
Why it matters in your case
If you lack standing, the court will dismiss your case before ever considering the substance of your claims. Practically, this means you must prove you are the right person to bring the lawsuit, not just that a wrong has occurred.
The common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is that standing is about the strength of your legal arguments. In reality, it is a separate, procedural hurdle about whether you have a sufficient personal connection to the dispute, regardless of how strong your case may be on the facts.
Get the actual rule
Definitions are orientation; rules are authority
This page explains the concept. When it matters to your case, read the rule that governs it in your court — we hold Texas, federal and Washington court rules word for word, and every state's official resources are on the state pages. If someone cites a case at you, check that it exists first.
Related
Terms that travel with this one
General explanation, not legal advice, and not specific to any state — procedures and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and court. If you can get a lawyer or free legal aid, do: every real option.