Tortious interference

Tortious interference is a tort (legally wrongful act) that arises when a party unjustifiably interferes with an expectation of another party. There are three common areas of tortious interference, these being with commercial relations, with contract, and with testamentary expectations.

In order to recover on a tortious interference claim, the plaintiff must generally satisfy four elements:

1. the existence of a business relationship between the plaintiff and another party;
2. the defendant's knowledge of that relationship;
3. an intentional and unjustified interference with the relationship by the defendant; and
4. that the aggrieved party was damaged as a result of the defendant's interference.