What legal term describes an act of negligence by a public agency?

The legal term that describes an act of negligence by a public agency is civil liability. This concept refers to the responsibility of a governmental body or public official to compensate individuals for damages resulting from negligent actions or omissions while performing their official duties. When a public agency fails to exercise reasonable care in its functions, leading to harm to individuals, it may be held legally accountable through civil liability.

In the context of public agencies, civil liability is crucial as it ensures that these entities are held to standards of conduct, promoting accountability and responsibility in providing services to the public. It allows individuals to seek remediation and holds public entities to a level of care in their operations, thereby safeguarding the rights of citizens.

Other terms like mandamus, malpractice, and habeas corpus have distinct legal meanings. Mandamus refers to a court order compelling an entity or individual to perform a duty they are legally obligated to complete. Malpractice typically relates to professional negligence within specific fields, such as medicine or law, rather than public agencies. Habeas corpus is a legal principle that protects against unlawful detention, ensuring individuals can challenge the legality of their imprisonment. Each of these terms serves different functions within the legal system and does not specifically pertain to acts of negligence by public agencies.