What does "legal standing" enable a party to do?

Legal standing is a fundamental concept in law that refers to the right of an individual or entity to bring a lawsuit in court. It specifically enables a party to file a claim based on their personal interest in the outcome of the case. This means that the party must demonstrate a sufficient connection to and harm from the law or action challenged in order to have a stake in the litigation.

For a party to establish legal standing, they typically must show that they have suffered an actual injury, that the injury was caused by the specific action they are contesting, and that a favorable court decision would redress that injury. This ensures that cases brought before the courts involve genuine disputes with parties who have a legitimate interest in the outcome, thereby filtering out cases that do not warrant judicial attention.

The other options do not accurately reflect the purpose of legal standing. For instance, representing another individual in court requires power of attorney or permission; it does not stem from legal standing. Furthermore, having legal standing does not guarantee a win in a legal dispute, nor does it inherently allow for out-of-court negotiations, which are separate matters relating to dispute resolution.