What is meant by "conversion" in tort law?

In tort law, "conversion" refers to the unauthorized taking or controlling of someone else's property, effectively denying the owner the right to use or possess it. This definition aligns with the provided answer because conversion involves a significant interference with the owner’s rights to their property, such as when someone takes an item and treats it as their own without permission.

The essence of conversion is that it goes beyond mere negligence or non-intentional interference; it typically requires intentional action by the defendant that results in the conversion or appropriation of the property. In this context, ownership and the owner’s rights are central to understanding conversion, making this option the best representation of the tort.

The other options represent different legal concepts not associated with the definition of conversion. Misrepresentation of financial information pertains to fraud, which involves misleading someone regarding financial matters. Negligent behavior leading to injury relates to negligence rather than a deliberate interference with property rights. Lastly, while fraud can involve property, it is a separate concept from conversion, which specifically focuses on unauthorized control over someone else's property.