What is a 'tort' in legal terms?

A 'tort' in legal terms refers to a civil wrong that causes harm or loss to another individual, leading to legal liability. This means that when one party commits a tort, the affected party may seek compensation through monetary damages. Tort law is part of civil law, focused on providing relief to individuals harmed by the wrongful acts of others, rather than punishing criminal behavior.

In this context, the other choices can be differentiated as follows: a criminal act, which involves actions that are offenses against the state and result in penalties like imprisonment; a legal obligation from a contract, which requires parties to fulfill duties as per their agreement; and an administrative violation, which typically involves regulatory breaches that may not lead to direct legal penalties. Each of these does not align with the essence of a tort, reinforcing the concept that a tort specifically relates to civil wrongs and the pursuit of damages.