Legal Definitions - rem

Definition: REM stands for "in rem," which is a Latin term meaning "against a thing." It refers to legal actions that involve determining the status of a thing, such as property, and the rights of people in relation to that thing.

Examples:

• An action in rem could be a court case to determine who owns a piece of land.
• Quasi in rem refers to legal actions that involve determining the rights of a person who has an interest in property located within the court's jurisdiction. For example, a court case to determine the rights of a person who has a lien on a car that is being sold.

These examples illustrate how in rem legal actions involve determining the rights and ownership of property, and how quasi in rem actions involve determining the rights of people with an interest in property.