What term describes a breach of contract by a professional due to insufficient performance?

The term that describes a breach of contract by a professional due to insufficient performance is malpractice. Malpractice specifically refers to a situation where a professional, such as a healthcare provider, attorney, or accountant, fails to meet the required standards of their profession, resulting in harm or financial loss to a client. It implicates a violation of the duty of care that the professional owes to their clients.

Malpractice covers scenarios where the professional's actions are not only below the expected norm but also result in tangible negative consequences for the client. This could manifest in various forms, such as incorrect medical treatment, legal errors, or poor financial advice that leads to detrimental outcomes.

In contrast, negligence typically focuses on a failure to exercise reasonable care, which may not always rise to the level of professional misconduct that malpractice implies. Breach of trust refers to a violation of the trust placed in a fiduciary relationship, but does not necessarily relate to performance standards. Fraud involves intentional deception for personal gain, which is distinct from the performance-related shortcomings seen in malpractice.