In the context of intentional torts, what does 'tortious conduct' refer to?

'Tortious conduct' generally refers to actions that result in civil legal liability for the person who commits them, specifically in the realm of intentional torts. This means it usually involves a voluntary act by the defendant that is intended to cause harm or a wrongful consequence to someone else. Intentional torts include actions such as assault, battery, false imprisonment, and infliction of emotional distress, where the defendant's conscious choice to engage in a certain act directly leads to the tortious outcome.

In this context, the emphasis is on the intentional and voluntary nature of the act. The defendant must have made a deliberate decision to perform the action that injures another party. This distinguishes it from other forms of tortious behavior, such as negligence, where harm is caused by a failure to meet a standard of care rather than an intention to cause harm.

The other options describe situations that do not encompass the concept of tortious conduct in the same applicable way. For instance, a failure to act when required suggests an omission, which may not relate to intentional torts. Additionally, negligent behavior and non-voluntary actions do not fit under the umbrella of intentional torts, as they do not involve the requisite intent to harm. Thus, the correct understanding of '