Which doctrine allows a party to sue on behalf of members when individuals lack standing?

• A. Next Friend Doctrine
• B. Organization on behalf of members
• C. Third-party standing
• D. Taxpayer or citizen standing

Answer: (B)

Associational standing lets a group or organization sue on behalf of its members when the individual members would not be able to sue on their own. The organization shows that its members would have standing if they were the ones bringing the suit, the issue falls within the organization’s purpose, and the lawsuit does not require every member to participate. This permits enforcement of the members’ interests through the group, even though individual members lack standing.

That’s why this scenario fits: a party is suing to represent the rights or interests of its members because those individuals can’t meet standing requirements themselves. The next-friend approach targets a nonparty (like a minor or someone incompetent) rather than a voluntary association acting for its members. Third-party standing involves relying on a nonparty’s injury in some limited situations, not the general representational approach here. Taxpayer or citizen standing hinges on challenges to government actions based on taxpayer status, which is a different basis for standing.