Quasi in rem (
Latin,
"as if against a thing") is a
legal term referring to a legal action based on property rights of a person absent from the
jurisdiction. In the
American legal system the state can assert power over an individual simply based on the fact that this individual has property (
bank account,
debt, share of stock,
land) in the state. 'Quasi in rem
jurisdiction does not have much function in the United States any longer. However, in very specific cases, quasi in rem jurisdiction can still be effective.