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state sovereign immunity
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state sovereign immunity

United States law
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Quick Summary

In United States law, sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine that shields a government from being sued without its consent. The Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1795, established this principle. It prevents federal courts from hearing lawsuits brought by citizens of other states or foreign countries against a U.S. state. This amendment was a response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), which allowed such suits, leading to concerns about states' autonomy.12

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. Eleventh Amendment
  2. sovereign immunity
  3. international law - Jurisdiction

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