Quasi In Rem Jurisdiction Law and Legal Definition
Quasi in rem jurisdiction refers to jurisdiction over a person based on that person's interest in property located within the court's territory. It is a type of personal jurisdiction exercised by a court over a party who owns property within the jurisdictional boundaries of the court. This power allows the court to hear a case and enforce a judgment against a party, even if the party is not personally before the court, solely because the party has an interest in real property or personal property within the geographical limits of the court.
However, the concept of quasi in rem jurisdiction has become all but obsolete. It is no longer acceptable for a state court to gain personal jurisdiction over a defendant merely because the defendant owns property in the state. In Shaffer v. Heitner, 433 U.S. 186 (1977), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a respondent must have a minimum level of purposeful contacts with the forum state before a state court can gain jurisdiction over the respondent. More over the long arm statutes also help plaintiffs gain in personam jurisdiction.
