What is meant by 'legal standing'?

Legal standing refers to the right of an individual or entity to initiate a lawsuit. It is grounded in the principle that only those who have a sufficient connection to and are affected by the outcome of the case can bring a claim before the court. This connection is typically established through the requirement that the person has experienced or is at risk of suffering an injury or harm that is personal and concrete.

In the context of this question, the correct choice emphasizes the necessity of demonstrating a direct relationship between the party bringing the suit and the injurious situation they are contesting. Without such a relationship, a party lacks standing, and therefore, the court would not have the jurisdiction to hear the case.

Other options do not accurately define legal standing. For instance, the ability of an attorney to represent clients pertains to professional qualifications and authority rather than standing itself. The requirement for a case to be filed in a specific court is related to jurisdiction rather than standing, highlighting that not all courts can hear every type of case. Finally, the limitation of lawsuits to certain types of damages deals with the parameters of what can be claimed in a lawsuit but does not touch upon whether a party has the right to bring the lawsuit in the first place.