BradleyS said:
What is the name of your state? KANSAS
What basic criteria must be met to claim tortious interference of a contract?
Written real estate contract.
In a nutshell:
"The elements essential to recovery for tortious interference with a contract are: (1) the contract; (2) the wrongdoer's knowledge thereof; (3) his intentional procurement of its breach; (4) the absence of justification; and (5) damages resulting therefrom."
Reebles, Inc. v. Bank of America, N.A., 29 Kan.App.2d 205, 25 P.3d 871 (2001).
"Justification" is the most common defense. Kansas recognizes these factors in considering whether the interference was justified:
"(1) the nature of the defendant's conduct; (2) the defendant's motive; (3) the interests of the other with which the defendant's conduct interferes; (4) the interests sought to be advanced by the defendant; (5) the social interests in protecting the freedom of action of the defendant and the contractual interests of the other; (6) the proximity or remoteness of the defendant's conduct to the interference; and (7) the relations between the parties."
Turner v. Halliburton Co., 240 Kan. 1, 12, 722 P.2d 1106 (1986).
Hope that helps.