In the civil law . An action against the person, founded on a personal liability ; an action seeking redress for the violation of a jus in personam or right available against a particular individual . In admiralty law . An action directed against the particular person who is to be charged with the liability. It is distinguished from an actio in rem , which is a suit directed against a specific thing (as a vessel) irrespective of the ownership of it, to enforce a claim or lien upon it, or to obtain, out of the thing or out of the proceeds of its sale, satisfaction for an injury alleged by the claimant.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
