What defines a tort in legal terms?

A tort is fundamentally defined as a wrongful act that causes harm or injury to another person, distinct from breaches of contract or criminal actions. This definition highlights that torts arise from civil wrongs rather than, for example, agreements between parties (contractual obligations) or actions that violate criminal laws, which are typically considered offenses against the state.

The concept of a tort encompasses various scenarios where one party’s actions result in harm to another, leading to the possibility of a legal remedy, typically in the form of damages or compensation. This broad classification allows for a wide range of wrongful acts to be addressed under tort law, including negligence, intentional harm, and strict liability cases.

In contrast, the other options refer to different legal principles: breaches of legal duty in option two focus on specific responsibilities that cause harm, while option three aligns with civil law processes but implies a more specific violation. Option four discusses criminal acts, which are a separate category entirely from civil torts. Understanding that a tort represents a civil wrong, without the involvement of contractual terms or criminal implications, clarifies its unique standing in legal contexts.