Tortious Interference with Contract Claim

Tortious Interference with Contract Claim

A tortious interference with contract claim is a legal cause of action that arises when one party intentionally disrupts a contractual relationship between two other parties, causing one of them to suffer damages. This claim is rooted in tort law, which deals with civil wrongs and damages.

In order to establish a tortious interference with contract claim, the plaintiff must typically prove several elements:

1. Existence of a Valid Contract: The plaintiff must show that a valid and enforceable contract existed between themselves and a third party at the time of the interference.

2. Knowledge of the Contract: The defendant must have known about the existence of the contract. This means they were aware that their actions would potentially interfere with the contractual relationship.

3. Intentional Interference: The plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant intentionally acted in a way that disrupted the contract. This can include actions such as persuading one party to breach the contract or using deceitful tactics to achieve interference.

4. Actual Interference: There must be evidence that the defendant’s actions directly led to a breach of the contract or made it impossible for the contract to be fulfilled.

5. Damages: Finally, the plaintiff must show that they suffered measurable damages as a result of the interference. This could be financial losses, lost opportunities, or other forms of harm directly tied to the disruption.

An example of a tortious interference with contract claim could involve a business that intentionally persuades a vendor to break their exclusive supply agreement with another company. If the vendor terminates the contract due to the other party’s interference, the original company could file a claim against the party who caused the disruption, seeking compensation for any resulting losses.

In some jurisdictions, there may also be additional considerations, such as whether the interference was justified or privileged, which can impact the outcome of the claim.