Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

What is an intentional tort?

1. A non-deliberate act leading to harm

2. A legal dispute over property rights

3. A deliberate act causing harm to another

4. A breach of contract in business

The correct answer is: A deliberate act causing harm to another

An intentional tort is defined as a deliberate act that causes harm to another person or their property. This definition reflects the fundamental aspect of intentional torts, which is the intent behind the action. The person committing the tort must have either intended the harm or been substantially certain that harm would result from their actions. Examples of intentional torts include assault, battery, and defamation, where the perpetrator consciously chooses to engage in behavior that results in injury or damage. The other options present concepts that do not align with the definition of an intentional tort. Non-deliberate acts are more related to negligence, which involves a failure to exercise reasonable care, rather than a conscious intent to cause harm. Legal disputes over property rights pertain more to property law and may involve various issues outside of intentional torts. Breaches of contract relate to agreements made between parties and are governed by contract law, which is distinct from tort law. Overall, the focus on deliberate action is what distinctly qualifies option C as the correct answer in the context of intentional torts.