In which context does the term "tort" usually apply?

The term "tort" applies in the context of civil law, which involves private disputes between individuals or organizations. A tort refers to a wrongful act, not amounting to a breach of contract, that results in harm or loss to another person, who then has the right to seek a legal remedy in civil court. This can encompass actions such as negligence, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among others.

Civil law contrasts with other areas like criminal law, which deals with offenses against the state or society as a whole; property law, which focuses on the rights and interests in land and personal property; and regulatory law, which pertains to rules and regulations imposed by government agencies. By understanding that torts fall under civil law, one can better grasp the nature of disputes and the legal remedies available to individuals who have suffered harm.