Legal Definitions - legal intromission

Legal intromission refers to the act of interfering with, taking possession of, or managing the property or affairs of another person without proper legal authority or permission. It signifies an unauthorized intrusion or involvement in someone else's legal domain, often leading to potential liability for the person who "intromits."

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Unauthorized Entry and Property Management

  Imagine a situation where a tenant is away on an extended business trip. The landlord, without providing the required legal notice or having an emergency, enters the tenant's apartment to "inspect for maintenance issues" and, while inside, decides to move some of the tenant's personal belongings to a different room. The landlord then sends a bill for "reorganization services."

  This scenario demonstrates legal intromission because the landlord interfered with the tenant's property and personal affairs (their belongings) without the tenant's permission or a valid legal reason, such as an emergency or proper notice as stipulated in the lease agreement.

• Example 2: Interference with a Deceased Person's Estate

  Consider a family where an elderly parent has recently passed away. Before the will is formally probated and an executor is legally appointed, one of the children accesses the deceased parent's bank accounts using old login details and begins paying outstanding bills and distributing small sums of money to other family members, believing they are helping to manage the estate.

  This is an act of legal intromission because the child is managing and distributing assets from the deceased parent's estate without having the legal authority (i.e., being officially appointed as the executor by the court). Their actions, even if well-intentioned, constitute an unauthorized interference with the legal affairs of the estate.

• Example 3: Unwarranted Involvement in Business Operations

  A small business owner hires a consultant to advise on marketing strategies. During the consultation period, the consultant, without explicit authorization from the owner, contacts the business's suppliers and attempts to renegotiate existing contracts, believing they can secure better terms. This action leads to confusion and strained relationships with the suppliers.

  Here, the consultant's actions constitute legal intromission. While they were hired for marketing advice, they overstepped their authorized scope by directly interfering with the business's operational contracts and supplier relationships without the owner's express permission or legal authority to do so.