What is meant by standing to sue?

Standing to sue is a legal doctrine that requires a party to demonstrate a sufficient connection to the harm being contested in a legal dispute. Specifically, it focuses on the need to show that the party bringing the lawsuit has suffered or is likely to suffer a concrete and particularized injury, or has an interest that is directly affected by the outcome of the case. This ensures that the courts are addressing real issues affecting individuals or entities, rather than hypothetical or abstract grievances.

The requirement of standing serves to promote judicial efficiency and avoid unnecessary litigation by ensuring that only those who have a genuine stake in the outcome of a case can initiate a lawsuit. Thus, any claims brought to court must show that the plaintiff has been directly impacted or has a legitimate interest in the matter at hand.

In the context of the other options, the presence of an attorney is not mandatory for standing; individuals may represent themselves in court if they choose to do so. The notion of filing a lawsuit without restrictions would undermine the purpose of standing and potentially lead to an overload of frivolous cases in the legal system. Moreover, standing is not related to the duration of a lawsuit; rather, it’s a threshold that must be met for a case to be heard in court at all.