Glossary
Article III standing
The constitutional rule that a person can only sue in federal court if they have a real, concrete stake in the outcome.
Article III of the U.S. Constitution limits federal courts to deciding actual cases and controversies. Standing is the doctrine that enforces that limit. A plaintiff has to show three things: they suffered a real injury, the defendant caused it, and a court ruling could fix it. If any piece is missing, the federal court has no power to decide the case. Standing is not optional or waivable and can be raised at any point in the lawsuit, even by the court on its own.