Definition of Torts

The term tort is come from the Latin term “Tortum,” which indicates “To Twist.” Tort law refers to unlawful or wrongful acts in which the perpetrator infringes the legal basic rights of another person. The law establishes a duty to respect the rights under the law vested in society’s members, and anyone who fails to do so is considered to have committed a wrongful conduct. Intentional conduct, breach of the duty, or statutory violations can all result in infringement of law.

Tortfeasor denotes to the individual who has committed a tort. When a tortfeasor is found liable for their actions, they must compensate the victim for the injury or harm they have done. In other ways, if a tortfeasor is deemed “responsible” or liable for a person’s harm, he must pay damages.

Tort law provides two fundamental, pervasive specific goals:

Dissuading the rescuer from committing the same infringement in the future.
Monetary compensation to the complainant or victim for any damages caused by the breach of defence.

The Tort of Assault

Assault is a tort in common law, defined as an act by the defendant that gives the plaintiff a reasonable fear that the defendant may inflict a battery on him. The crime of assault is accomplished when the perpetrator performs his conduct by creating fear in the plaintiff’s mind that he will commit assault against him. The wrong is defined as an attempt to injure instead of the damage that is caused as a result of that attempt. Charges of an assault should contain behaviour that is objectionable or puts another person in danger. This indicates that even if the victim was not physically harmed, one might be charged with assault.

In the particular instance of R. v. S. George, it was determined that pointing a loaded gun at another person was an assault. Even if the gun is not loaded, it could be considered an assault if directed at a distance where it could inflict injury. When someone threatens to use force, this is referred to as assault.

Assault’s basic ingredients

If one or more of the components are not met, it could be used as a defence to an assault charge. The following are aspects of assault crimes:

An act or course of action meant to create:

To establish a Criminal Offensive Attack: The defendants’ behaviour should be motivated by a desire to induce fear or threat in the victim’s mind. Assault allegations are not covered in accident acts.

A reasonable Fear or Apprehension: The victim should also have a reasonable fear that the defendant’s actions will hurt or insult him. The victim should be aware of the defendant’s possibly intention of causing the behaviour.

Imminent Damage or Harm: The victim’s fear has to be a direct reaction to an impending threat. Threats like “I’ll beat you tomorrow” would not arise in assault charges in the future. Furthermore, there should be some kind of perception of physical attack or threat to the victim in the damage or loss; as a result, words by themselves would not generally constitute a threat or attack.

It is probably believed that the act of the defendant would endanger or abuse the victim physically. As a result, trying to hit or slap the victim, as well as attempting to spit on the victim, (aggressive behaviour).

If found to be guilty of the threat or attack: All of the above aspects should be present, and the evidence should be supported by the facts & evidence.

It can be challenging to prosecute whether the accused person intended to hurt or attack. Likewise, judges frequently spend a significant amount of time determining whether a defendant’s acts are considered extremely harmful or abusive. In deciding this, they will consider what the average individual might comprehend as harmful and dangerous or aggressive.

Distinction between Assault and Battery

S.no		Assault	Battery
1.	Meaning	Assault is defined as the attempt to commit a battery.	Battery is defined as the intentional use of force against the other person without a justifiable cause.
2.	Crucial Consideration	The threat of violence is sufficient to constitute an assault. Physical contact is not required.	There must be physical contact.
3.	Principle	Construct a reasonable fear in the victim’s mind that instant force & threat will be used.	The same should apply in the absence of any legal justification.
4.	Objective	To make a threat against someone.	To harm someone.
5.	Nature	Not always physically	Physical effort is required.