security interest

A security interest is a property interest created by agreement or by operation of law over assets to secure the performance of an obligation, usually the payment of a debt. It gives the beneficiary of the security interest certain preferential rights in the disposition of secured assets. Such rights vary according to the type of security interest, but in most cases, a holder of the security interest is entitled to seize, and usually sell, the property to discharge the debt that the security interest secures.

En droit, une sûreté réelle est une garantie offrant à un créancier un droit sur un bien, meuble ou immeuble, qui lui permet d'obtenir paiement de sa créance, sur le produit de la vente de ce bien, en cas de défaillance du débiteur.