When a business owner enters into a formal or informal agreement that benefits their business, they generally do not expect an outside party to disrupt that relationship. Entrepreneurs rely on relationships and contracts with insurers, lenders, suppliers, distributors and contractors to run their businesses successfully. When a third party interferes with a contract or business relationship, it can be devastating to a company`s bottom line. Some examples of disruption may include a joint supplier`s belief that they are not complying with a contract or a third party interrupting the sale of real estate to a business. If a third party unfairly interferes with a contract or business relationship, a remedy is available in the form of a lawsuit known as unauthorized interference. Hopefully, the information provided here will help you determine if your case is a possible claim offense. If you need additional help with this decision and need to find out the next steps, please call business attorney Johnnie Bond to make an appointment. Call (202) 683-6803 today to speak with a team member, schedule a free consultation, and discuss your concerns with people who can help. An earlier, perhaps the oldest, case of recognition of this offence occurred in Garret v.
Taylor, 79 Eng. Rep. 485 (K.B. 1620). In this case, the defendant drove the clients out of the plaintiff`s career by threatening them with chaos and threatening to «beat them with lawsuits.» The Court of the King`s Bench stated that «the accused threatened violence to the extent that he launched an attack against […] Applicant`s clients. after which «they all refrained from buying». The court therefore upheld a judgment for the plaintiff. Not all disputes that arise in the context of commercial transactions are considered an unauthorized breach of a contractual relationship. Admittedly, not all disputes between competitors can be turned into an action in tort. For claims that are undeveloped business relationships, there are high standards to prevent misuse of the system. While courts assess the sanctity of proven contractual business relationships, they must stay away from small claims.
If you think you`ve experienced unauthorized interference in Michigan, contact Miller Law today. There is a thin line between unlawful interference and fair competition. Unauthorized interference under Michigan law requires not only proof that the conduct was intentional, but also that it was inappropriate. If there was no contract, but a commercial contract was expected to grow, then a claim might be possible. In this scenario, a potential and expected transaction must be secure enough to enter into a business relationship. It`s more than just a hope of a business opportunity. Instead, the applicant must have something concrete that shows that the relationship is in the direction of a business relationship. If a plaintiff has submitted only a simple allegation, many courts will dismiss the lawsuit. To overcome the qualified privilege of an agent, the applicant must prove that the agent`s act was performed without justification or with real malice.
MGD, Inc. gegen Dalen Trading Co., 230 IllApp3d 916, 920 (1st Dist 1992). . . .