Which term describes the performance of a legal act inappropriately?

The term that describes the performance of a legal act inappropriately is misfeasance. This term refers specifically to the improper performance of a lawful act, where a person conducts themselves in a way that is not consistent with the standard of care expected in a given situation. In the context of healthcare and emergency services, misfeasance could occur if a paramedic administers treatment that is appropriate in nature but fails to do so correctly or according to standard protocols. It emphasizes that the action taken was technically legal, but executed in a way that is inadequate or negligent, potentially leading to harm.

In contrast, nonfeasance refers to the failure to act when there is a duty to do so, while absence of duty implies that the individual had no responsibility to act in the first place. Malpractice generally encompasses both misfeasance and nonfeasance, but it is a broader term specifically related to professionals failing to meet the requisite standard of care in their practice, which could involve either improper performance or failure to act.