What is a justiciable controversy?

A justiciable controversy refers to an actual and substantial dispute that can be adjudicated in a court of law. This means that the controversy is not merely theoretical or hypothetical; it involves real parties with legitimate interests at stake, and it requires a resolution through legal processes. The essence of justiciability lies in the requirement that the issue at hand has practical implications and affects the rights or obligations of the parties involved, making it suitable for judicial examination.

In contrast, hypothetical legal scenarios do not meet the criteria for justiciability, as they do not pertain to real conditions or conflicts between parties. Similarly, a settled controversy indicates that the issue has already been resolved, meaning there is no ongoing dispute to adjudicate. Lastly, a case lacking sufficient evidence might result in dismissal or a ruling against it, but still requires the presence of a real controversy to be considered justiciable. Therefore, only a real and substantial controversy fits the definition of a justiciable controversy, making it the correct choice.