Duress by Threat

Duress by threat occurs when an individual is forced to act against their will because they fear harm to themselves or someone else. In legal terms, it means that a person commits an act or enters into a contract because they are threatened with violence or significant harm if they do not comply. This can make the agreement invalid, as true consent is absent. The key element is the coercion created by the threat, which influences the individual's decision-making, rendering their choice involuntary.