sovereign immunity
2
9.9
- noun
- /ˈsɑvərɪn ɪˈmjunɪti/
- Formal
:
inmunidad soberana
- The department was dismissed from the suit by the trial court on the grounds of sovereign immunity.
- sovereign immunity doctrine
- state sovereign immunity
- sovereign immunity against suits
Examples
-
Due to sovereign immunity, the state cannot be held liable for damages caused by its employees while performing their duties.
-
The Court has made clear that sovereign immunity is neither derived from nor limited by the text of that amendment.
Academic text (2016) -
The doctrine of state sovereign immunity deeply informs this common law tradition.
Academic text (2016) -
And this principle remains one of the few undisputed tenets of state sovereign immunity doctrine.
Academic text (2016) -
Local sovereign immunity operates primarily through two doctrines that, together, prevent remedies for violations of federal rights.
Academic text (2016) -
Nor could Thompson sue the State of Louisiana, for states are entitled to sovereign immunity due to presuppositions affirmed in the Constitution's structure.
Academic text (2016) -
The principle of sovereign immunity prevents individuals from suing the government without its permission.
-
In many countries, sovereign immunity is a key factor in determining how government officials are protected from legal action.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'sovereign' (the state or governing authority) combined with 'immunity' (legal protection) yields a doctrine protecting the state from suit. Although it is a formal legal term, the semantic components map transparently and many languages use similar constructions, so a B1 learner who knows both words should infer the meaning.
Etymology
Sovereign immunity comes from the old idea that a sovereign (a king or ruler) was 'above the law' and had immunity, or protection from being taken to court. That's why today sovereign immunity means a government 'cannot be sued' unless it agrees.