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The Daily Insight

What is in personam and in rem

Author

Nathan Sanders

Published Mar 14, 2026

In personam means that a judgment can be enforceable against the person wherever he/she is. On the other hand, if the lawsuit is to determine title to property (in rem) then the action must be filed where the property exists and is only enforceable there.

What is the difference between in personam and in rem?

In personam is a Latin phrase meaning “against a particular person”. … In personam is distinguished from in rem, which applies to property or “all the world” instead of a specific person. This technical distinction is important to determine where to file a lawsuit and how to serve a defendant.

What is the meaning of in rem personam?

According to its literal meaning in rem is right in respect of a thing, us in personam is a right against or in respect of a person.

What is law in rem and law in personam?

A right was recognised by Roman lawyers as either Jus in Rem or Jus in Personam. Jus in Rem is a right in respect of a thing, and Jus in Personam is a right against or in respect of a person, according to its literal meaning.

What is the difference between action in rem and action in personam?

Basically, action in rem is a type of lawsuit brought against a piece of property itself instead of the owner of a property. … An action in personam would be a case brought against the owner of the property. Action in rem can be very effective when someone has a legitimate claim against a piece of property.

What is an example of in rem jurisdiction?

Rem is Latin for ‘thing. ‘ When a court exercises in rem jurisdiction, it exercises authority over a thing, rather than a person. For example, if a divorcing couple asks a court to supervise the sale of their family home, the court exercises in rem jurisdiction over the house.

Is tort right in rem?

A tort is an infringement of a right in rem: There are two types of rights, Right in rem and right in persona. While the right in rem is available against the whole world whereas right in persona is available against any particular individual.

What creates jus in rem?

Jus ad rem is a Latin term of the civil law, meaning “a right to a thing:” that is, a right exercisable by one person over a particular article of property in virtue of a contract or obligation incurred by another person in respect to it and which is enforceable only against or through such other person.

What Is REM in law?

From Latin, “against a thing.” Concerning the status of a particular piece of property. For instance, in-rem jurisdiction refers to the power of a court over an item of real or personal property. … In-rem jurisdiction is based on the location of the property and enforcement follows property rather than person.

What is the difference between a right in rem and a right in personam?

A right in rem is available against the world at large. A right in personam is available only against a determinate person or persons, corresponds to a duty imposed on determinate individuals. They are available against an open or indefinite class of persons. They are available against a specific person or persons.

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What does foreclosure in rem mean?

The first is an “in-rem” judgment of foreclosure. That means that the judgment is only against the property. This allows the bank only to continue with the foreclosure process and get the house back, and evict whoever lives there. The lender CANNOT sue the person for money.

What is an in personam action?

Action in Personam is an action in which judgment is sought against a person. The word ‘in personam’ derived from Latin word ‘in personem’ which means against a person. Judicial proceeding will be against a person and not against the property of that person. … Action in Personam is also called ‘personal action. ‘

What is proceeding in rem?

In a larger and more general sense, the phrase “proceedings in rem” is applied to actions between parties, where the direct object is to reach and dispose of property owned by them or of some interest therein. It is a proceeding brought to determine the status of a particular thing itself. 3.

What does in rem only mean in a lawsuit?

[Latin, In the thing itself.] A lawsuit against an item of property, not against a person (in personam). They may be directed against real or Personal Property. … In rem actions are permitted only when the court has control of the property or where its authority extends to cover it.

What does lienholder in rem only mean?

Those holding lien interests should be shown as “in rem only”, which indicates that the defendant will not be personally liable for any deficiency. The judgment will set forth the “adjudged value” of the property.

What is pigeon hole theory in torts?

Pigeon hole theory: Salmond chose the Second alternative, and as per him the liability under this branch of law arises only when the wrong is covered by any one or the other nominate torts. … If the plaintiff can place his wrong in any one of the pigeon hole, each containing a labeled tort, he will succeed.

What are the ingredients of tort?

Three essential elements which constitute a tort are, A Wrongful act or omission, and. Duty imposed by the law.

What is vis majeure?

Vis major or force majeure clauses are standard in many contracts, and exempt the contracting parties from fulfilling their contractual obligations for reasons that could not be anticipated or are beyond their control.

What is in rem jurisdiction in personam jurisdiction?

In personam (personal) jurisdiction is the authority over a person, subject matter jurisdiction is the authority of the type of case, and in rem (property) is the authority over property.

What is the difference between in rem and quasi in rem?

What is the difference between REM and Quasi in REM? REM refers to an action against a property, which seeks to determine the ownership of or rights to that property. Quasi in REM involves a situation where the defendant’s property is seized to satisfy the plaintiff’s claim.

What is in personam jurisdiction quizlet?

In personam jurisdiction is the power that a court has over an individual party. It is required whenever a judgment is sought that would impose an obligation on a defendant personally.

What Is REM writ?

Commencement of Admiralty Proceedings An action in rem is begun by writ and a writ in rem is sealed and issued by the court registry upon filing of the prescribed form under the High Court Rules 1980 and paying a registration fee of RM208. A writ in rem is valid for six months from the date of issue.

What Is REM Latin?

Word Origin for in rem Latin, literally: against the matter.

What creates personam rights?

Right in personam gives the person rights against one person or party to the contract. … The Indian Contract Act grants rights in personam to the parties of a contract. So the parties of a contract have these contractual rights only against each other, i.e. jus in personam.

Which of the following creates jus in rem that is gives the right to the buyers to enjoy the goods as against the whole world including the seller?

Passing of Property: It creates a jus in rem i.e. gives right to the buyer to enjoy goods as against the whole world.

Are property rights rights in rem?

All legal rights can be classified as either in personam or in rem. Examples of in rem legal rights include property rights, easements, and status.

What is a difference between a right in rem and right in personam please explain with the help of an example?

A right in rem is available against the world at large; it is a right available against persons generally. Examples are rights of possession and ownership. Right in Personam: … Thus, my right lo the peaceably occupation of my farm is right in rem, while my right to receive rent from tenant is right in personam.

Are property rights in rem or in personam?

Property is enforceable in rem (it operates against the world); • Property only exists where there is a legal framework to support it. … Rights in Personam: A right in personam can be directed to a person (e.g. contract law) and it is enforceable against the person who is privy to that relationship only.

What is principal and accessory rights?

Principal and Accessory Rights The principal right is the most important rights. They are the basic right that is vested on an individual. The accessory right is the consequential or incidental right. They are not important but they are ostensible to basic right.

What does defendants in rem mean?

In rem jurisdiction (“power about or against ‘the thing‘”) 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.

What is Judgement in rem and Judgement in personam?

Judgement in rem: – When a judgment is given on a particular subject matter, it will not only remain between the two parties but also be applicable to the entire world. Judgement in personam: – When a judgment is given on a subject matter, it will remain between the parties.