In legal terms, what does 'immunity' refer to?

Immunity refers to a legal protection that shields certain persons or organizations from liability, effectively absolving them from responsibility for certain actions or decisions. This legal concept is often associated with government officials, judges, or legislative bodies, which may be granted immunity to ensure that they can perform their functions without the fear of personal legal repercussions.

In contexts such as sovereign immunity, governments cannot be sued without their consent, thereby protecting public officials and agencies from legal actions that might impede their duties. This understanding of immunity highlights its role in maintaining the functionality of government and legal systems by allowing individuals within these institutions to act without the continuous threat of personal liability.

This definition contrasts with the other options provided. Remedies refer to the legal means to enforce a right or redress a wrong, damages signify monetary compensation awarded to a plaintiff, and procedural steps involve the processes followed within legal proceedings, none of which encapsulate the essence of immunity.