What is &quot;wilful act&quot; and &quot;gross negligence&quot; under UK&#39;s law?
<p>Is a "wilful act" an intentional act that can never exist without the agent's intention (e.g. similar to "dolo" in Spanish)? Or can an act that I didn't desire the outcome, but that I performed consciously, be considered an "wilful act"?</p>

<p>By the same token, is "gross negligence" necessarily an omission, or can an act performed without due care be considered grossly negligent (similar to "culpa" in Spanish, in the strict sense)?</p>

<p>In case it makes a difference, I'm asking this in regard to contract-law liability.</p>

<p>Thank you very much!</p>

<p>I'm fairly confident now that "wilful act" can be translated as "dolo" in Spanish, and "gross negligence" as "culpa grave". That is, an "wilful act" is a conscious act that was deliberated by the agent. While a "gross negligence" can be a http://thelawdictionary.org/commissive/">commissive act as well as an omission. </p>

<p>Concerning wilful, <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willful" rel="nofollow noreferrer" >Merriam Webster</a> says:</p>

<blockquote>Legal Definition of willful  <br>

Willful   :  not accidental :  done deliberately or knowingly and often in conscious violation or disregard of the law, duty, or the rights of others  </blockquote>

contract-law liability negligence