Legal standing refers to the ability of a person or entity to demonstrate a sufficient connection to a legal issue in order to participate in a court case. To have standing, a party must show that they have been directly affected by the issue at hand, which often involves proving injury, causation, and the likelihood of obtaining a remedy through the court's decision. In many legal systems, standing is crucial because it ensures that only those with a genuine stake in the outcome can bring a case. This principle helps maintain judicial efficiency and prevents the courts from being overwhelmed with cases that do not involve real disputes, thereby protecting the integrity of the legal process.