What is the purpose of the waiver of sovereign immunity?

• A. To completely eliminate the government's liability
• B. To allow individuals to sue under given conditions
• C. To increase the number of lawsuits against governments
• D. To protect the government from all forms of litigation

Answer: (B)

The waiver of sovereign immunity serves to allow individuals to sue the government under specific conditions. Traditionally, sovereign immunity protects governments from being sued without their consent, ensuring that government entities can operate without the constant threat of litigation. However, by waiving this immunity in certain circumstances, the government recognizes the need to provide individuals with a pathway to seek legal redress when they believe their rights have been violated or when negligence occurs.

This waiver often comes with established limits and procedures that individuals must adhere to when filing lawsuits, thus balancing the need for accountability while still safeguarding the government from an overwhelming number of legal actions. This approach fosters a relationship where citizens can hold governmental bodies accountable without completely undermining the operational integrity of those entities.