What does "tortious interference" involve?

Tortious interference specifically pertains to one party wrongfully interfering with the contractual or business relationships of another party. This legal concept arises when an individual or entity intentionally disrupts the performance of a contract by another party, leading to potential damages. The focus is on the interference aspect, which can be either through persuasion or coercion to breach a contract, or by creating obstacles that prevent the fulfillment of the contract.

The other options touch upon different legal concepts. Negligence in legal practice relates to the failure of a professional to meet the standard of care expected, while failing to adhere to professional standards addresses a breach in the expected conduct of a professional. Disputes over business ownership pertain to conflicts regarding the rights to a business, which is not primarily related to the interference with contractual relations. Therefore, recognizing tortious interference as interference in contractual relations highlights its critical role in protecting the sanctity of contractual agreements from undue outside influence.