In rem jurisdiction ("power about or against 'the thing'"[1]) is a legal term describing the power a court may exercise over property (either real or personal) or a "status" against a person over whom the court does not have in personam jurisdiction. Jurisdiction in rem assumes the property or status is the primary object of the action, rather than personal liabilities not necessarily associated with the property.
- ^ Garner, Bryan (2006). Black's Law Dictionary. St. Paul, MN: Thompson/West. p. 362.