in personam

adjective

In a lawsuit against a specific individual, a summons and complaint to give the court jurisdiction that is served to a person to try a case. In personam means that a judgment can be enforceable against the person wherever he/she is.

“in personam judgment”

OriginLatin in persōnam →
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Meanings

adjectivein personam (not comparable)
  1. not comparablelawIn a lawsuit against a specific individual, a summons and complaint to give the court jurisdiction that is served to a person to try a case. In personam means that a judgment can be enforceable against the person wherever he/she is.

    in personam judgment

Origin

  1. Latinin persōnam
  2. Englishin personam

From Latin in persōnam (literally “towards a person”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish przeciwko konkretnej osobie
  • przeciwko konkretnej osobielaw
Romanian in personam
  • in personamlaw
Spanish contra la persona
  • contra la personalaw
Cite this entry
APA

in personam. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20personam

MLA

“in personam.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20personam. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “in personam,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20personam.

Source: in personam on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.