Define: Wrong

In a legal context, “wrong” generally refers to an act or behaviour that is considered unlawful, unethical, or in violation of legal or moral principles. Wrongs may encompass a wide range of actions, including civil wrongs (torts) such as negligence, defamation, or breach of contract, as well as criminal wrongs such as assault, theft, or fraud. Determining whether an action constitutes a wrong depends on various factors, including applicable laws, regulations, and societal norms. Legal remedies are available to address wrongs, such as compensation for damages in civil cases or criminal penalties in cases involving violations of criminal law. Additionally, wrongs may give rise to legal claims or causes of action, allowing aggrieved parties to seek redress through the legal system. Overall, the concept of wrong is fundamental to the administration of justice and the protection of individual rights and interests in society.

A violation, by one individual, of another individual’s legal rights.

The idea of rights suggests the opposite idea of wrongs, for every right is capable of being violated. For example, a right to receive payment for goods sold implies a wrong on the part of the person who owes, but does not make payment. In the most general point of view, the law is intended to establish and maintain rights, yet in its everyday application, the law must deal with rights and wrongs. The law first fixes the character and definition of rights, and then seeks to secure these rights by defining wrongs and devising the means to prevent these wrongs or provide for their redress.

The criminal law is charged with preventing and punishing public wrongs. Public wrongs are violations of public rights and duties that affect the whole community.

A private wrong, also called a civil wrong, is a violation of public or private rights that injures an individual and consequently is subject to civil redress or compensation. A civil wrong that is not based on breach of contract is a tort. Torts include assault, battery, libel, slander, intentional infliction of mental distress, and damage to property. The same act or omission that makes a tort may also be a breach of contract, but it is the negligence, not the breaking of the contract, that is the tort. For example, if a lawyer is negligent in representing his client, the lawyer may be sued both for malpractice, which is a tort, and for breach of the attorney-client contract.

The word wrongful is attached to numerous types of injurious conduct. For example, wrongful death is a type of lawsuit brought on behalf of a deceased person’s beneficiaries that alleges that the death was attributable to the willful or negligent conduct of another. However, even in these special contexts, the words wrong, wrongful, and wrongfully do not sharply delineate the exact nature of the wrongness. Their presence merely signifies that something bad has occurred.

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.