Third-Party Standing
Third-party standing is the doctrine governing when a litigant may assert the legal rights of someone who is not a party to the case. Courts generally require a litigant to assert their own rights, but they recognize limited exceptions when the relationship between the litigant and the rights-holder and other factors justify allowing the claim.
Third-party standing is the doctrine governing when a litigant may assert the legal rights of someone who is not a party to the case. Courts generally require a litigant to assert their own rights, but they recognize limited exceptions when the relationship between the litigant and the rights-holder and other factors justify allowing the claim.
Example: In Craig v. Boren (1976), a vendor challenged an Oklahoma law on behalf of customers affected by the law’s different drinking-age rules for men and women. The Supreme Court allowed the third-party challenge in that context.
Common misconception: Anyone can sue on behalf of anyone else. Third-party standing is limited by judicial doctrines and depends on the relationship and circumstances.
Sources: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-429/pdf/USREPORTS-429-190.pdf; https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/court-role-and-structure