Locus Standi
/LOH-kus STAN-dee/
Right to stand — a party's legal right or standing to bring an action before a court.
Full Definition
Locus standi (Latin: 'place of standing') refers to the right of a party to appear and be heard in a legal proceeding. Traditionally, only a person with a direct personal interest in the outcome had locus standi. In India, this rule was relaxed through PIL — any public-spirited citizen can file a petition on behalf of those who cannot access courts themselves.
In Indian Law
The Supreme Court expanded locus standi through PIL in S.P. Gupta v. Union of India (1981), holding that any person acting bona fide on behalf of a disadvantaged group has standing. High Courts and the Supreme Court freely admit PILs on environmental, human rights, and constitutional issues.
Landmark Cases
S.P. Gupta v. Union of India (1981) — PIL and expanded locus standi
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone file a PIL even without personal interest?
Yes — for public interest matters, any bona fide person can file a PIL before the Supreme Court (Art. 32) or High Court (Art. 226). Courts filter out frivolous or private-interest PILs.