Hiring Israeli Counsel for a Single Matter

A single dispute or a single deal in Israel does not need a long-term law firm relationship. It needs the right lawyer, a clear scope and a written price. Most problems on one-off matters come from the first week, when the brief is vague and nobody has agreed what happens if the case grows.

This guide is for a foreign business that has one matter in Israel: an unpaid invoice, a contract to sign, a claim against a local company. It is general information and not advice on a specific matter.

Define the matter in one paragraph

Before you contact anyone, write down what you want in plain words: the counterparty, the amount or the deal, the deadline, and the outcome you would call a success. A lawyer cannot quote a fair price for “a problem with our Israeli distributor”. A lawyer can quote for “a demand letter and a settlement attempt on a 40,000 euro unpaid invoice, with a decision point if the other side does not pay”.

Gather the contract, the invoices, the correspondence and any proof of delivery in one folder. If the documents are in English, say so. If some are in Hebrew, say who has read them.

Check that the lawyer can act for you in Israel

Representing a client before an Israeli court is reserved for lawyers licensed in Israel. Under section 20 of the Bar Association Law, 1961, acting for another person before courts and tribunals is reserved for lawyers who are members of the Israel Bar, subject to limited exceptions. Ask for the name of the lawyer who will actually handle the file, not only the firm, and confirm that the lawyer is a member of the Israel Bar. A lawyer who is licensed only abroad can help you think about the case, but cannot file it here.

Ask three more practical questions. Does the lawyer work with foreign clients regularly? Can the lawyer write and talk to you in your language? Does the lawyer have a conflict with the other side or with a related company?

A one-off matter still needs a written scope. The cheapest mistake to avoid is a fee quote that does not say what it covers.

Agree the scope and the fee in writing

Israeli ethics rules do not require a written fee agreement in every case, but a written one protects you, so ask for an engagement letter before work starts. It should say what is included, what is not, and who decides when to move to the next step. A useful way to structure a single matter is in stages:

Stage 1: review. The lawyer reads your documents and tells you the strengths, the weak points and the likely routes.
Stage 2: first action. For example a demand letter, a call with the other side, or a negotiated draft of the contract.
Stage 3: proceedings, only if needed. Filing a claim is a separate decision with its own estimate.

Ask how fees work at each stage: a fixed fee, an hourly rate, or a fee linked to the amount recovered. Ask what is not in the fee, such as court fees, translations, and sworn documents from abroad. Ask for a written estimate of the cost of stage 3 before you approve stage 1, so that the total picture is clear from the start.

Plan for what a foreign party must supply

A foreign company usually has to prove who it is and who signs for it. Expect a request for a power of attorney, and for documents showing that the person who signs has authority to do so. Under section 30 of the Evidence Ordinance, a power of attorney signed abroad is generally proven through an Israeli consular officer or a notary, and for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention an apostille replaces consular legalisation. Courts keep some discretion to accept other proof of authenticity, but do not plan on it. Ask your lawyer early which of your documents need this, because it takes time and cannot be rushed at the end.

Ask also about security for costs. Under regulation 157 of the Civil Procedure Regulations, 2018, a court may order a plaintiff to provide security for the defendant’s costs. A foreign plaintiff with no assets in Israel is a common ground for such an order, and a claim can be struck out if the security is not deposited as ordered. The order is discretionary, and some treaty rules protect citizens of certain countries from being ordered only because they are foreign. Your lawyer should tell you whether this is likely in your case and how much it could be.

Keep the matter confidential

Communication between you and your Israeli lawyer for the purpose of legal advice is generally protected by attorney-client privilege under section 48 of the Evidence Ordinance. Do not weaken that protection by forwarding the lawyer’s advice to people outside the decision group. Ask the lawyer how to share it internally.

Questions to ask before you hire

Who will do the work, and who will I speak to?
What exactly does the first fee cover?
What are the realistic outcomes, and what is the weak point in my case?
How long will each stage take?
What will you need from me, and by when?

Where to go next

Before you hire anyone, check the other side. Our guide on how to check an Israeli company before you sign or sue shows what public records can tell you in a day. If the matter is a contract, read about the governing law and jurisdiction clause. If it is a debt, see commercial debt collection in Israel.

Have one matter in Israel and want a clear scope and price? Contact RNC Group and we will tell you what the matter needs before you commit.