Concerning start of machinations against property? (2,3)
I believe the answer is:
in rem
'against property?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'concerning start of machinations' is the wordplay.
'concerning' becomes 'inre' (short for 'in regards to' ie concerning a topic).
'start of' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'machinations' is 'm'.
'inre'+'m'='IN REM'
(Other definitions for in rem that I've seen before include "right against property" , "something in law" , "it's legally targeting property" , "Affecting a thing (law); miner (anag.)" , "Made against a thing (law)" .)