Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Conspiracy definition

What does Conspiracy mean? In practice, conspiracy refers to the inchoate offence of two or more persons agreeing that a course of conduct be pursued which will necessarily involve the commission of a criminal offence. The offence is complete on agreement; the substantive crime need not be carried out. In England and Wales, conspiracy is principally a statutory offence under the Criminal Law Act 1977, requiring an agreement with intent that the conduct be carried out and that it will involve an offence. Common law conspiracy to defraud is preserved, as are the rare common law conspiracies to corrupt public morals and to...

Causing Loss by Unlawful Means (Unlawful Interference) in England and Wales: Elements, Dealing Requirement, Intention to Injure, Remedies and Key Authorities

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Practice notes

As outlined in The economic torts—overview, the law provides safeguards for a person’s trade or business against conduct regarded as unacceptable.

For guidance on claims concerning:

procuring a breach of contract, see Practice Note: The tort of procuring a breach of contract
intentional violation of rights in a judgment debt, see Practice Note: The Marex tort (interference with a judgment debt)
conspiracy (by both lawful and unlawful means), see Practice Note: Civil conspiracy claims (economic tort)
economic duress, see Practice Note: Economic duress—undue influence—tort of intimidation

Civil proceedings that feature fraud or dishonesty frequently plead one or more of the economic torts, on which see Practice Note: Civil fraud—causes of action (heads of claim).

What is the tort of unlawful interference?

The tort of causing loss by unlawful means arises where a defendant interferes with the claimant’s economic interests by unlawful means, with the object and intention of causing the claimant loss, and such loss is in fact suffered (OBG v Allan; Future investments v Federation Internationale)...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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