Latin term that refers to a court’s jurisdiction over classes of assets, usually real estate, but also assets, actually located within the territory of a jurisdiction, whether or not the owner is located in the jurisdiction. Quasi In Rem jurisdiction is used to refer to cases where the claim is made solely against the asset, but is also sometime (not wholly accurately) used to refer claims against intangible assets, title to which falls under the control of the jurisdiction, so assets with record title in the jurisdiction, and bank accounts, insurance policies and other assets held within banks or other entities located in the jurisdiction.
In Rem jurisdiction is particularly important when seeking to enforce awards made in international litigation, where a party may refuse to pay; the judgement can often be taken to jurisdictions where the evading party has assets.