Questions and Answers – Unsure where to begin? We have compiled the most common questions for your convenience. This page will continue to be updated over time; however, more comprehensive information can be found on our articles page.
Cancellation of a new vehicle purchase from an importer is permitted within 14 days, provided the vehicle has not yet been registered in the consumer’s name at the licensing authority.
The court is expected to issue a concise judgment within seven days of the final hearing; however, this is not always the case. Sometimes, judgment is delivered at the conclusion of the hearing (particularly if the case settles during the hearing); other times, the court may issue judgment sooner or later than expected.
According to data from the judiciary, the average duration of a small claims case is approximately six months (from the filing of the claim to the delivery of judgment).
How will I know when the hearing is scheduled? The court registry will send the parties a hearing notice indicating the date and time set by the court. Alternatively, case details can be tracked online via the National Court System website, the Courts’ Information Center, or the registry of the court where the claim was filed. For a list of court registries, click here.
How are court fees paid? Payment may be made in one of the following ways:
- If the claim was filed via the Net-Mishpat website, payment can be made using a credit card (a prepaid credit card from the Post Office is considered a credit card for all intents and purposes).
- In cash, using a voucher issued and payable via the following entities: 1. Post Office; 2. “Menta” branches (convenience stores of the Delek Group); 3. Ben Gurion Airport. According to Court Administration Procedure No. 02-5-11, for payment via voucher, identification (ID card/driver’s license/passport) is required. If a third party wishes to make payment on behalf of the claimant (e.g., I want to pay for a claim filed by my wife), the third party (in this example, the husband) must go to the post office with his and the claimant’s identification.
- Payment by bank check: According to the instructions of the Judicial Authority, the court registry accepts checks only from lawyers, banks, and insurance companies. However, the registry accepts bank checks submitted by private individuals.
For further information, please visit the Judicial Authority’s information page regarding charges and payments.
What is a Small Claims lawsuit? A lawsuit filed with the relevant Magistrate’s Court concerning one or more of the following: (1) Payment of a sum not exceeding NIS 38,900; (2) Issuance of an order for the replacement or repair of goods or cancellation of a transaction, provided the value of the goods/repair does not exceed NIS 38,900 (current as of January 2024).
How can I confirm that the defendant received the summons?
- Track the case on the “Net Mishpat” website (https://www.court.gov.il/ngcs.web.site/homepage.aspx) (after logging in using the government identification system).
- Contact the court registry where the lawsuit was filed. See a full list of telephone numbers for small claims court registries.
- Contact the Courts’ Information Center by phone: https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/General/help_desk.
Warranty coverage for products up to 300 (goods) is valid until the expiration of the specified warranty period. It is important to note that the basic statutory warranty period is one year. However, if a longer warranty period was agreed upon, that period shall prevail.
This agreement grants the right to use a vacation unit/residence, domestically or internationally, for a minimum of three years, with a stay of two or more days annually. For example: A 20-year agreement to use a hotel room in Eilat for one week in April.
Cancellation is permitted within 14 days of contract signing or receipt of the “disclosure statement,” whichever is later. Consumers wishing to cancel must send written notification to the vendor via this link. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the annual period following notification, or at the end of the current annual period if notification occurs during that period. For example: A cancellation notice submitted in early August for a vacation unit booked for the last week of August will take effect at the end of that last week.
The vendor must refund all sums paid by the consumer for the period after the cancellation takes effect, including accrued interest from the date of payment until the date of refund. If the vendor has not yet billed the consumer for the post-cancellation period, the vendor may simply cancel the charge for that period. However, if the transaction has not commenced, the vendor may not charge a cancellation fee!
If the transaction has commenced, the vendor may deduct only the following from the refund:
- The pro-rata share of the vacation unit’s price up to the effective date of cancellation;
- If the vendor did not restrict the consumer’s right to assign their rights under the contract to a third party (even by charging a fee), the vendor may charge 50% of the vacation unit’s price after deducting the “pro-rata share” mentioned in section 1.
Note that jurisdiction for disputes regarding the vacation unit depends on its location: For units in Israel, the competent court is in Israel. For units abroad, jurisdiction lies with the competent court in the unit’s location.
A transaction for the purchase of goods or services for a pre-defined, fixed period agreed upon by the parties. Examples include: theatre subscriptions, gym memberships, library memberships, etc. The consumer may cancel a fixed-term agreement at any time. The cancellation method depends on the type of product and is detailed in Appendix IV of the Consumer Protection Law.
Cancellation of purchase of furniture, home and garden equipment, electrical/electronic appliances (including peripherals), packaged goods, cancellation of an order for goods that have not yet been delivered, watches, musical instruments, water purifiers, and mineral water dispensers.
Cancellation is permitted within 14 days of receipt of the goods and is subject to a cancellation fee.
Cancellation conditions (Regulation 2/Appendix to the Cancellation Regulations):
- Value exceeding 50 ₪
- The product has been returned to the merchant
- The product has not been damaged and has not been used. In this regard: (1) Opening the packaging shall not be considered use or damage to the product unless proven otherwise. (2) Connecting to electricity, gas, or water shall be considered use or damage to the product. Clause 2 is relevant to home and garden equipment; electrical/electronic appliances; water purifiers; and mineral water dispensers.
- The product has not been assembled at the consumer’s home
- The manufacturing or ordering is not according to the consumer’s special requirements. Note: A standard product displayed to the consumer from the catalog and manufactured specifically only because it is out of stock shall not be considered an order according to special requirements.
- If the product was installed by a technician on behalf of the merchant, installation fees shall be paid in an amount not exceeding 100 ₪
Please note! It is possible to cancel a transaction for goods (furniture/goods cancellation) that were ordered but not yet delivered, even if only because they are out of stock and need to be manufactured or ordered.