A breach of fiduciary duty of care refers to a situation where a person, often referred to as a fiduciary, fails to meet the required standards of care and diligence when managing or representing the interests of another party. Fiduciaries are expected to act in good faith, display loyalty, and make decisions that are in the best interest of the person or entity they owe a fiduciary duty to. This breach can occur in various relationships, such as between directors/officers and shareholders, trustees and beneficiaries, or lawyers and clients. One type of breach of fiduciary duty of care is negligence. Negligence occurs when a fiduciary acts carelessly or fails to exercise the level of care that a reasonable and prudent person would in similar circumstances. This can involve a range of actions, including making poor investment decisions, failing to oversee employees or agents appropriately, or not disclosing crucial information to those they owe a fiduciary duty. In cases of negligence, the fiduciary may be held financially liable for any losses or damages suffered by the affected party. Another form of breach of fiduciary duty of care is self-dealing. Self-dealing arises when a fiduciary unlawfully benefits themselves at the expense of their duty to act in the best interest of the other party. This can include a fiduciary using their position to secure personal gains, taking advantage of confidential information, or engaging in transactions that are not in the best interest of the person or entity they owe fiduciary duties to. Self-dealing can be a significant violation of the fiduciary duty of care and may result in legal consequences and potential financial restitution. Additionally, a breach of fiduciary duty of care may occur through a failure to disclose conflicts of interest. Fiduciaries have an obligation to inform the party they owe a duty to about any conflicts that could potentially impact their ability to act impartially or make decisions solely in the other party's best interest. It is crucial that fiduciaries avoid any situations where their personal interests conflict with their fiduciary duties, as failure to disclose and manage these conflicts can lead to a breach of the duty of care. In summary, a breach of fiduciary duty of care refers to situations where fiduciaries fail to fulfill their obligations to act diligently, in good faith, and in the best interests of the party they owe a duty to. This breach can manifest as negligence, self-dealing, or a failure to disclose conflicts of interest. Understanding these different types of breaches is crucial for both fiduciaries and those they owe a duty to, as it helps protect against potential harm and provides a basis for legal recourse if necessary.