Filing a Statement of Defense in Magistrates’ and District Courts

This service guides defendants on how to file a statement of defense, respond to the claims against them, and submit supporting documents and evidence before the court decides the case.

Get the form

The service is intended for anyone against whom a claim has been filed in a Magistrates’ Court or District Court.

Close
  • Power of attorney (if the defendant is represented by an attorney).
  • Any document or evidence on which the defense is based (for example: agreements, receipts, correspondence and others).
Close

The service is provided free of charge.

Close

The deadlines for filing a statement of defense (the counting of days begins from the day on which the statement of claim was served on the defendants):

  • Eviction claim or small claim – up to 30 days.
  • Fast-track proceedings – up to 45 days.
  • Ordinary proceedings – up to 60 days.
  • Medical negligence claim – up to 120 days.
The statement of defense must be drafted in accordance with the Civil Procedure Regulations.

The statement of defense may be filed in several ways:

Online

  • The statement of defense may be filed on the Net HaMishpat website.
  • Before logging in, it is recommended to prepare all documents scanned as PDF files only. The maximum size of each file that may be attached is up to 30 MB.
  • The website must be accessed from a computer; it is not adapted for browsing on a mobile phone.
  • Log in using the 'National Identification' button or a smart card.
    • Identification in the National Identification System provides a personalized service after a short one-time registration, with maximum security protection against fraud and identity theft.
    • For instructional videos on how to register.
  • To submit the statement of defense:
    • On the top bar in Net HaMishpat, enter the case number and click the 'Search' button.
    • If the case number is not known, click on the 'Locate Cases' tab and select 'My Cases' in order to locate it.
    • After the case has been located, click on its icon.
    • Click on the 'Filings' tab.
    • On the 'Filings' tab, select 'Other Filings'.
  • To attach appendices with the statement of defense: additional documents may be uploaded via the 'Browse' button, under the heading 'Attach Supporting Documents'.

 

  • The files must be in PDF format only.
  • Each file uploaded to the system must not exceed 30 MB.
     

Filing at the Court in person

 

  • The form must be submitted in one copy to the Court, and those who are not represented must also prepare a copy for each additional plaintiff.
  • The statement of defense may be filed at any public reception desk of the Secretariat of a Magistrates’ Court or District Court.
  • District filing – the application may also be filed at any public reception desk of the Secretariat of a Magistrates’ Court within the relevant district. For detailed information on district filing
  • Online appointment scheduling for the Court Secretariat – it is possible to schedule an appointment with a public reception desk of some Court Secretariats, via the website and the MyVisit application for scheduling an appointment

Registered mail

The application may be sent by registered mail to the Court, as described in the previous section – filing in person at the Court.

Close
  • After receipt of the statement of defense, the Court will schedule a pre-trial hearing, and the Court Secretariat will send a summons for the scheduled date.
  • It is your responsibility to monitor the processing of the case. Sometimes rulings will be issued regarding the filing of additional documents, or the scheduling, cancellation or change of hearing dates.
  • A hearing will take place in the case in which the arguments of the parties and witness testimonies (if any) will be heard, after which a judgment will be issued.
  • If the case is found suitable, the parties will be invited to participate in a mediation process in order to reach agreements.
  • It is necessary to track the progress of the case through the Net HaMishpat website, which may be accessed only via a computer. The website is not adapted for mobile browsing.
  • For details on how to check the status of processing the statement of defense, click on the relevant heading:

At the end of filing the statement of defense, a confirmation number (reference) will be received, by means of which it is possible to track the processing of the case and obtain the case number in two ways:

In the 'Track My Filings' tab

  • It is possible to view the most recent filings, their confirmation numbers and their processing status.
  • It is necessary to check the status of processing the statement of defense.
  • This may be done after the end of the business day following the day on which the form was submitted.

On the top bar of the website, in the 'Filings' tab

  • Clicking on the tab will open a window in which 'Locate Filings by Reference Number' should be selected.
  • Enter the reference number in the designated field and click the 'Search' button at the bottom left of the page. The status of processing the filing will be displayed.
  • It is necessary to check the status of handling of the statement of defense. This may be done after the end of the business day following the day on which the form was submitted. The case number will appear there.
  • Using the case number, the file may be accessed – by clicking on the number.
  • After entering the file, folders will appear on the right side.
During the processing of the form, the Court may send requests for additional documents, which, if not submitted within the time specified in the requests, the case will be closed. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to check the status of processing the statement of defense.
  • At the end of filing, a 'Received' stamp, date and filing confirmation (reference) will be provided.
  • Using the confirmation, it is possible to check the progress of processing the statement of defense.
  • It is possible to check whether notices or rulings have been received in the case via the Net HaMishpat website:
    • It must be accessed using the national identification system or a smart card.
    • On the top bar of the website, enter the case number, click the 'Search' button, and it will then be possible to view it.
  • If the case number is forgotten or not known click on the 'Locate Cases' tab and select 'My Cases', enter a date range and a list of cases will be received, from which the correct case should be selected.
  • After entering the case, folders will appear on the right side. Enter the 'Paper File' folder, in which all the documents in the case will appear, including rulings.

It is necessary to track the arrival of the mail at the Court and then wait until the end of the business day following the day of its arrival, in order to check the processing of the statement of defense. After that, it is possible to track in Net HaMishpat the progress of processing in the following way:

  • If an email address was updated in the statement of defense, update notices from the Court will be received at that address.
    • In order to read the messages, click on the link in them, which will lead to Net HaMishpat.
    • It must be accessed using the National Identification System.
    • Identification in the National Identification System provides a personalized service after a short one-time registration, with maximum protection against fraud and identity theft.
  • For instructional videos on how to register.
  • Next to the ID number, an envelope icon will appear, clicking on it will open messages from the Court.
  • Another way to check the status of processing on the Net HaMishpat website after logging in using national identification:
  • Click on the 'Locate Cases' tab and select 'My Cases', then choose a date range for the search.
  • A list will be received, from which the relevant case may be selected.
  • Click on the case number in order to view it and check whether notices have been received.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the document reaches the Court within the time set in the regulations.
Close

Civil Procedure Regulations. (Hebrew)

Close
Get the form

Please note, if there is any difference or conflict between the information on this page and the law, the provisions of the law will apply.
Your opinion matters to us (Hebrew)
Click here

The Israeli Judicial Authority

Multi-Channel Information Center