Who is considered a sovereign?

A sovereign is recognized as a person or body that holds supreme authority, distinguishing it from entities or individuals with limited powers or specific roles. This concept is fundamental in political and legal contexts, where sovereignty signifies the ultimate power to govern and make decisions within a defined territory or jurisdiction.

In the context of land surveying, understanding who or what constitutes sovereignty can be crucial, particularly when dealing with property rights, ownership, and jurisdictional authority. This includes recognizing that a sovereign can enact laws, regulate land use, and oversee the implementation of land surveying practices.

The other options reflect roles or statuses that do not embody the full spectrum of supreme authority. A legal representative of a deceased estate, for instance, operates under the authority granted by the estate rather than possessing sovereign powers. Similarly, a landowner of vast estates or a legal advisor in property transactions have specific functions that are bounded by legal frameworks and do not encapsulate the concept of sovereignty, which requires absolute governance and decision-making power.