In Poland, the Czech Republic and a few other countries, a substantial jurisprudence has developed about standards for legal interest. In many other countries, however, the question of standing produced blank stares, because opposing parties do not usually challenge someone's assertion of interested party status. If party status meant real power, then a better developed jurisprudence would arise from the consequences of contesting it. But since it doesn't mean much real influence or many rights, then being admitted as a party doesn't help the public to participate meaningfully. Perhaps the only real benefit of party status in such countries is the right of appeal, but even this right is rarely used because of institutional stumbling blocks.
Parties are reluctant to appeal administrative decisions to courts for several reasons.
In the first place it is perceived as expensive and protracted. Secondly, it is an option with which very few persons have experience. More fundamentally, citizens do not yet believe that the judiciary has been transformed into a truly independent institution for the safeguarding of constitutionalism and the rule of law. Courts are reluctant to make effective awards or order adequate remedies, especially in the area of environmental protection. In some cases, courts are limited in the scope and extent of the relief they may grant, either due to ridiculously low penalties stipulated by law or limitations on the granting of injunctive relief.