Legal Definitions - sounds in

Definition: Sounds in refers to the legal basis or cause of action underlying a lawsuit. For example, a tort claim sounds in tort, and a contract claim sounds in contract.

For instance, in a fraud claim, a plaintiff may allege a unified course of fraudulent conduct and rely entirely on that course of conduct as the basis of that claim. In this case, the claim "sounds in fraud" and is subject to the heightened pleading standard for fraud or mistake. Similarly, a claim for breach of contract may "sound in tort" when the breach relates to obligations that arise from tort law and not a contractual agreement.

For example, if a person sues their employer for wrongful termination, the claim would "sound in" employment law. If a person sues a doctor for medical malpractice, the claim would "sound in" negligence.