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.
The following conditions apply to the cancellation of clothing purchases, subject to a cancellation fee:
- The transaction value exceeds 50 NIS (for jewelry – the amount paid did not exceed 3,000 NIS);
- Cancellation must be made within two business days of purchase;
- The goods have been returned to the merchant;
- The product is unused and undamaged;
- For clothing and footwear: the price tag, if any, has not been removed.
Transactions involving the purchase of lingerie, including swimwear, are not cancellable.
Only private individuals (not corporations) may file a small claims action (e.g., a sole proprietor may, but a limited company may not). However, should a corporation be sued in a small claims court, it may file a counterclaim in the same court, up to the jurisdictional limit (ILS 38,900, current as of January 2023).
MIUT (Information, Acquaintance, and Coordination) units have been implemented in recent years to alleviate the burden on courts and minimize litigation costs, particularly in small claims (especially in small claims). These units assess the suitability of referring cases to mediation.
Often, after pleadings (claim and defense) are submitted, MIUT units send the parties an invitation to an MIUT meeting at a specified date, time, and location.
This meeting, conducted before a mediator selected by the MIUT unit, is mandatory (and incurs no cost). Its sole purpose is to assess the parties’ willingness to refer the case to mediation (to be conducted before the mediator rather than the court).
The referral of a case to mediation requires the consent of all parties.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, such meetings may be held remotely (via ZOOM), subject to the agreement of all parties and the mediator.
Spare parts are supplied for 7 years, including the warranty period (cookers, washing machines, dishwashers, freezers, microwaves, tumble dryers).
In short, no. A counterclaim may be filed in a Small Claims Court up to the jurisdictional limit (NIS 38,900, as of January 2023), with any excess claimed in a separate action in a Small Claims Court or another court.
Note: Since a corporation cannot file an independent claim in a Small Claims Court (only a counterclaim), any excess claim must be pursued in a separate action in a regular court, not a Small Claims Court.
Yes, it is possible to withdraw a small claims lawsuit that has been filed. To do so, a written request must be submitted, detailing the reasons for withdrawal. Note that the more advanced the proceedings, the more substantial the justifications must be, and they must strongly favor the cancellation of the lawsuit.
The following are the conditions for cancellation, subject to a cancellation fee:
- Transaction value exceeds 50 ₪;
- Cancellation is made at least 14 business days prior to the service commencement date;
- For accommodation, travel, leisure and entertainment services: services are performed entirely within Israel;
- For workshops and courses: no cancellation is permitted for psychometric tests.
Addressing the Judge: The judge should be addressed as “Your Honor” or “Mr./Madam Justice” in the third person. For example, if referencing a prior order, instead of saying “You ordered…”, one should say “Your Honor ordered…”. When addressed by the judge, or addressing the judge directly, stand, speak respectfully and courteously (formal language is not required).
Generally, no. It is the court clerk’s responsibility to effect service of the writ and summons on the defendant (and also on the plaintiff). However, the plaintiff may not remain passive: if the court clerk has not served the defendant with the writ within 60 days of the scheduled hearing, the plaintiff must serve the defendant with the writ at least 40 days before the scheduled hearing.
Smoking is prohibited on buses, minibuses, taxis (when occupied), trains, covered bus stops, central bus stations (except in designated smoking areas), train stations and platforms (except in designated smoking areas at the platform edge), and in motor vehicles.
Smoking is prohibited in covered or underground public parking areas within 10 meters of the entrance or exit (except in the case of a dwelling located within this range).
