What are the two types of tort?

The correct answer identifies the two primary categories of torts: intentional acts and negligent torts.

Intentional torts occur when a person deliberately engages in conduct that causes harm to another individual. Common examples include assault, battery, and defamation. These actions are characterized by a purposeful intention to cause harm or a willful disregard for the safety of others.

Negligent torts, on the other hand, arise from a failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to unintended harm. This includes situations like car accidents caused by a driver's failure to follow traffic laws or medical malpractice where a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care required. The key element here is that the harm was not intended, but rather the result of carelessness or oversight.

This understanding contributes to the broader legal context by clarifying how various forms of wrongdoing are categorized, which can impact legal proceedings in civil court. The other choices do not correctly represent the widely accepted classifications of tort law; for example, negligent torts are different from malicious torts, and terms like academic tort and civil tort do not exist within standard legal definitions of torts. Understanding these distinctions helps individuals grasp the essentials of tort law and the principles of liability in civil cases.