A Texas state court has thrown out a lawsuit filed against an abortion provider who intentionally violated a state law prohibiting abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy.

Dr. Alan Braid was sued under a law known as Senate Bill 8, which allows private citizens to bring lawsuits against anyone who “aids or abets” in a prohibited abortion. A state court ruled from the bench Thursday that plaintiffs do not have standing to sue if they have not been directly impacted by the abortion services provided, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is representing Braid.

Thursday’s ruling sets an important precedent but does not overturn the law, said Nancy Northup, the group’s president and chief executive, in a statement.

“This is a significant win against S.B. 8’s bounty-hunting scheme because the court rejected the notion that Texas can allow a person with no connection to an abortion to sue,” Northup said.