In short
When do you need a lawyer for a civil claim?
When you file a monetary claim or are sued, when you need to appeal a judgment, or when a dispute goes to arbitration. A statement of defense is generally due within 60 days of receiving the statement of claim, and within 15 days in small claims, so it pays to call a lawyer as soon as a claim arrives.
Filing Claims and Defending Against Them
We handle monetary claims, breach of contract, recovery of funds, business disputes and statements of defense (kitvei hagana) in the Magistrates' and District Courts and in small claims cases. Under the Civil Procedure Regulations, 5779-2018, you generally have 60 days from the day you received the statement of claim to file a statement of defense, or 15 days in a small claim.
Get in touch early. That leaves time to gather evidence, locate witnesses and build your arguments.
How a Civil Case Proceeds
A civil case moves through several stages: statements of claim and defense, discovery and inspection of documents, a pretrial hearing, evidentiary hearings at which the witnesses are examined, and closing arguments. Every stage has deadlines, and interim motions can change the direction of the case.
That is why we build the case from the outset: which documents prove the claim, who will testify and what the other side will try to ignore.
Interim Orders and Attachments
If there is a risk that the other side will hide assets or sell the property in dispute, you can apply for a temporary attachment or an injunction at the very start of the proceedings. Courts review these applications quickly, so we prepare them together with the statement of claim.
Appeals
A judgment of the Magistrates' Court is appealed to the District Court, and a judgment of the District Court is appealed to the Supreme Court. The deadline for filing an appeal is generally 60 days from the day the judgment was rendered or served on you.
Arbitration, Mediation and Settlement
Business and commercial disputes are sometimes decided in arbitration when the contract includes an arbitration clause. Many civil cases end in a settlement, and mediation or structured negotiations can save time and costs, provided you come to them with a well-prepared case.
What the service includes
- Filing claims and defending against claims
- Breach of contract and business disputes
- Interim orders and attachments
- Appeals to the District Court and the Supreme Court
- Arbitration
- Settlement negotiations and mediation
When to contact us
- You received a statement of claim or a demand letter
- Someone breached a contract with you and is not paying
- A partner or supplier is holding back money or documents
- A judgment has been issued and you are considering an appeal
What to bring to the meeting
- The statement of claim or the demand letter
- The contract and related correspondence
- Receipts, invoices and proof of payment
- Names of potential witnesses
Civil Litigation throughout Israel
The firm represents clients from all over Israel: Jerusalem and the Shfela, Be'er Sheva, Ashdod and Ashkelon, Haifa and the North, the Sharon and Gush Dan. Meetings take place at our two Modiin branches, at the WE Towers branch in Tel Aviv or by video call, and documents can be sent in advance on WhatsApp. We represent clients in the courts, the Labor Courts and before planning committees throughout Israel. How we work with clients across Israel.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a statement of defense in a civil case?
Generally 60 days from the day you received the statement of claim, or 15 days in a small claim. If the deadline is close, send us the statement of claim today.
What should I do if I receive a demand letter before a lawsuit?
Do not ignore it. Have it reviewed. Sometimes a reasoned reply at this stage prevents a lawsuit.
How long do I have to appeal a civil judgment?
Generally 60 days from the day the judgment was rendered or served on you. A decision that is not a judgment is challenged by an application for leave to appeal, which has a shorter deadline.
What happens if I do not file a statement of defense on time?
The plaintiff can ask for a default judgment, meaning a judgment given without your side being heard. If the deadline has passed, contact us right away: sometimes it is possible to request an extension or to have the judgment set aside.
How long does a civil case take?
That depends on the court, the number of witnesses and the interim motions. An early settlement can shorten the proceedings considerably.
How long do I have to file a civil claim before it becomes time-barred?
Under section 5 of the Limitation Law, 5718-1958, a claim that does not concern land is generally time-barred after seven years, and a claim concerning land after fifteen years. The period runs from the day the cause of action arose (section 6), but when the facts were hidden from the plaintiff for reasons beyond their control, it starts only on the day they became known to them (section 8). If a long time has passed since the events, check the exact deadline without delay.
Does filing an appeal stop the enforcement of the judgment?
No. An appeal does not by itself stay the enforcement of the judgment, and the winning party may move to enforce it. A party who wants to put enforcement on hold until the appeal is decided must file a motion for a stay of execution, and the court weighs the chances of the appeal and the balance of convenience between the parties. In a money judgment, a stay is granted only in exceptional cases, for example where there is a real risk that the money will not be repaid if the appeal succeeds.
