Legal duress occurs when a person is forced to act against their will due to threats or pressure from another party. This coercion can involve physical harm, economic threats, or other forms of intimidation that leave the victim with no reasonable choice but to comply. In legal terms, agreements made under duress may be considered void or voidable, as they lack genuine consent. To establish a claim of legal duress, the affected party must demonstrate that the threat was unlawful and that it directly influenced their decision-making. Courts often evaluate the circumstances surrounding the situation, including the nature of the threat and the options available to the victim.