tort
/tɔːrt/
Definition
A civil wrong or wrongful act—other than a breach of contract—that causes harm to another party and for which the injured party can seek legal remedy, such as damages or court-ordered action.
Etymology
The word stems from the Old French 'tort,' meaning 'wrong' or 'injustice,' which originated from the Late Latin 'tortum,' meaning 'twisted.' It entered Middle English to describe a wrongful act, distinct from criminal law, that provides grounds for a civil lawsuit.
In the news
In this article, tort law is the legal framework used to hold Shell accountable for its climate impacts, specifically by arguing that their business practices constitute a civil wrong that necessitates mandatory emission reductions.
Scope 3 on Trial: What it Means For Corporate Climate Accountability
Read the full article ↗The Equation - Union of Concerned Scientists