Definition
A legal doctrine that prevents the government from being sued without its consent. The legal equivalent of 'The government is the boss of lawsuits, so it can't be sued unless it says okay.'
Example Usage
The lawsuit was dismissed on the basis of sovereign immunity because the defendant was a government agency.
Origin
From the medieval principle that 'the King can do no wrong'
Fun Fact
Sovereign immunity has been so extensively limited by statute and case law that it's less about absolute immunity and more about jumping through specific hoops to sue the government.
Source: Administrative and constitutional law terminology
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “Sovereign Immunity” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator