A tort is a legal concept in civil law that refers to a wrongful act or an infringement of a right, other than under a contract, that results in harm or loss to another person.

When someone commits a tort, the injured party can sue for damages in civil court.

Torts can include a wide range of actions, from negligence (such as causing a car accident) to intentional acts like defamation or assault. The goal of tort law is to provide compensation to victims and to deter individuals from engaging in harmful behavior.

Unlike criminal law, tort cases focus on resolving disputes between individuals or entities, rather than punishing wrongdoing on behalf of the state.