In intentional interference with a business relationship, a plaintiff may sue under which theories?

In intentional interference with a business relationship, a plaintiff may sue under which theories?

• A. Either contract or tort
• B. Only contract
• C. Both contract and tort
• D. Neither contract nor tort

Answer: (A)

When someone intentionally interferes with a business relationship, you can pursue remedies under either contract or tort depending on the facts. If there’s a valid contract and the defendant induces a breach or disruption of that contract, the plaintiff may sue on a contract-based claim (breach) and, separately, may sue for the tort of interference with contract. If there’s no contract but there is a legitimate business relationship or a reasonable expectation of economic gain, the plaintiff can sue the defendant under a tort theory for intentional interference with prospective economic advantage. So the theories available are contract or tort, chosen based on whether a contract exists and how the interference occurred.

When someone intentionally interferes with a business relationship, you can pursue remedies under either contract or tort depending on the facts. If there’s a valid contract and the defendant induces a breach or disruption of that contract, the plaintiff may sue on a contract-based claim (breach) and, separately, may sue for the tort of interference with contract. If there’s no contract but there is a legitimate business relationship or a reasonable expectation of economic gain, the plaintiff can sue the defendant under a tort theory for intentional interference with prospective economic advantage. So the theories available are contract or tort, chosen based on whether a contract exists and how the interference occurred.