Both California contract law and tort law allow for legal action when a third party wrongfully interferes with a contract or ongoing business relationship. The court held that a plaintiff asserting a tortious interference claim involving an atwill contract must plead an independently wrongful act.Interference with an existing contractual relation occurs when a third party interferes with an existing contract between 2 parties. A party (such as a property owner), can be held liable for interfering with a contract (such as a subcontract), regardless of their interest in the contract. This type of claim arises when a party attempts to derail a potential business relationship or contractual negotiations. California courts have long recognized causes of action for tortious interference with contract and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage. If the defendant was a competitor regarding the business involved in the contract, his interference with the contract may not be improper. A tortious interference lawsuit allows you to sue the noncontracting person and recover damages for intentional or negligent acts that caused economic harm. In a separate part of its opinion, the Court also held that a claim for tortious interference with an atwill business contract (i.e. With strangers in a futile attempt to fill the emptiness in your soul.