ABUSE-OF-RIGHTS DOCTRINE

abuse-of-rights doctrine.Civil law. The principle that a person may be liable for harm caused

by  doing  something  the  person  has  a  right to  do,  if  the  right is exercised  (1)  for  the  purpose  or

primary motive of causing harm, (2) without a serious and legitimate interest that is deserving of

judicial protection, (3) against moral rules, good faith, or elementary fairness, or (4) for a purpose

other than its intended legal purpose. [Cases: Torts    6. C.J.S. Torts §§ 5, 16–22.] [Blacks Law 8th]