If the defendant was a competitor regarding the business involved in the contract, his interference with the contract may not be improper. Any individual involved in business will likely have seen claims for interference with relationships, either prospective or contractual.Both California contract law and tort law allow for legal action when a third party wrongfully interferes with a contract or ongoing business relationship. An actionable claim for interference with contractual relations does not require that the defendant have the specific intent to interfere with a contract. If a third party unfairly interferes with a business contract or relationship and causes damage, a tortious interference claim may be a viable option. California recognizes a cause of action against noncontracting parties who interfere with the performance of a contract. Plaintiffs filed a "Petition for Writ of Administrative Mandamus" (Doc. In the case before it, the Supreme Court found that defendants had unlawfully interfered with the former employer's at-will employment relationships.