Which tort refers to the use of civil or criminal procedures for a purpose for which they were not designed?

• A. Private nuisance
• B. Trespass
• C. Malicious abuse of process
• D. Unfair competition

Answer: (C)

The main concept is misuse of legal procedures to achieve a goal they aren’t meant to accomplish. Malicious abuse of process covers using civil or criminal processes for an ulterior purpose beyond their legitimate function—things like pressuring a settlement, harassing the other party, or coercing a result not intended by the process itself. The key element is improper motive and using the process to accomplish something outside its proper scope, not necessarily a finding of guilt or the merits of the case. This differs from malicious prosecution, which focuses on starting a suit without probable cause and with malice. The other options describe harms to property or competition, not the misuse of legal procedures, so they don’t fit the scenario.