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Courts Law [Consolidated Version], 5744-1984

חוק בתי המשפט [נוסח משולב], תשמ"ד-1984

Published: 1984-08-31Consolidated Hebrew text as of 2026-09-01 · Last amended 2026-07-29✓ Amendment status checked against the Knesset legislation record on 2026-09-28
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Unofficial English translation — for reference only. It may contain errors or omissions and cannot be relied on as a legal text. Only the Hebrew text published in Reshumot is legally binding.More

This English text was translated from the official Hebrew using a range of translation tools, and it undergoes ongoing checks and updates. It is not a certified translation.

Despite these checks, it may contain errors, omissions, or imprecise renderings of legal terminology and cross-references, and it may not yet reflect the latest amendments. It cannot be relied upon as a legal text.

The Hebrew text as published in Reshumot (ספר החוקים) and on the Knesset website is the sole authoritative and legally binding version. In any discrepancy, the Hebrew text prevails.

This translation is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For use in legal proceedings, request a certified Expert Legal Opinion.

Chapter I: Judges

Section A: Application

Subject Matter of Chapter [S/1]§
1.

This Chapter deals with judges of –

(1)the Supreme Court;
(2)District Courts;
(3)Magistrates' Courts.

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Section B: Qualifications

Qualifications of Judges of the Supreme Court [S/2]§
2.

The following are qualified to be appointed as judges of the Supreme Court:

(1)a person who has served for a period of five years as a judge of a District Court;
(2)a person who is registered, or who is entitled to be registered, in the roll of members of the Bar Association and who has been engaged, continuously or intermittently, for not less than ten years, of which at least five years in Israel, in one or more of the following:
(a)the practice of law;
(b)adjudication or another legal function in the service of the State of Israel or in another service prescribed by Regulations for this purpose;
(c)teaching law at a university or at a higher school of law prescribed by Regulations for this purpose;
(3)an eminent jurist.
Cooling-off Period for Appointment of a Supreme Court Judge§
2a.

A person who has served in the office of Attorney General or State Attorney shall not be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court unless a period of eighteen months has elapsed from the date of the termination of his tenure.

Qualifications of Judges of a District Court [S/3]§
3.

The following are qualified to be appointed as judges of a District Court:

(1)a person who has served for a period of four years as a judge of a Magistrate's Court;
(2)a person who is registered, or who is entitled to be registered, in the roll of members of the Bar Association and who has been engaged, continuously or intermittently, for not less than seven years, of which at least three years in Israel, in one or more of the matters enumerated in section 2(2).
Qualifications of Judges of a Magistrate's Court [S/4]§
4.

Those qualified to be appointed as judges of a Magistrate's Court are persons who are registered, or who are entitled to be registered, in the roll of members of the Bar Association and who have been engaged, continuously or intermittently, for not less than five years, of which at least two years in Israel, in one or more of the matters enumerated in section 2(2).

Citizenship [S/4a]§
5.
(a)A person who is not an Israeli citizen shall not be appointed as a judge.
(b)Where the candidate for appointment also holds a citizenship other than Israeli and the laws of the state of which he is a citizen permit his release from that citizenship, he shall not be appointed until he has done all that is required on his part for the purpose of his release therefrom.

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Section C: Appointment

Judicial Selection Committee [S/6]§
6.

The following provisions shall apply in respect of the Judicial Selection Committee under section 4 of Basic Law: The Judiciary (hereinafter – the Committee):

(1)the Knesset shall elect by secret ballot the two Knesset members who shall serve as members of the Committee; they shall serve as long as they are members of the Knesset, and if the term of the Knesset has ended – until the new Knesset elects other members in their place, all subject to the provisions of the Basic Law: The Knesset, 5754-1994;
(2)the National Council of the Bar Association shall elect its representatives by secret ballot; they shall serve for a period of three years;
(3)the two judges of the Supreme Court shall serve for a period of three years;
(3a)at least one of the representatives of the Supreme Court judges on the Committee, at least one of the representatives of the Government on the Committee, at least one of the representatives of the Knesset on the Committee and at least one of the representatives of the Bar Association on the Committee shall be women;
(4)the composition of the Committee shall be published in Reshumot (Official Gazette).
Voting in the Committee§
6a.

A member of the Committee shall vote according to his own discretion and shall not be bound by the decisions of the body on whose behalf he is a member of the Committee.

Procedure of the Committee [S/7]§
7.
(a)Where the Minister of Justice considers that a judge should be appointed, he shall give notice thereof in Reshumot (Official Gazette) and shall convene the Committee.
(b)The following are entitled to propose candidates:
(1)the Minister of Justice;
(2)the President of the Supreme Court;
(3)three members of the Committee jointly.
(c)
(1)the Committee's recommendation for the appointment of a judge shall be by the opinion of a majority of its members who participated in the vote;
(2)notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), the Committee's recommendation for the appointment of a judge to the Supreme Court shall be by the opinion of seven members of the Committee; where the number of participants in the vote falls below nine, the vote shall be by the opinion of a majority of the participants, which shall not be less than the number of participants minus two.
(d)The Committee shall determine the remainder of its rules of deliberation and procedure.
Restriction on Appointment of a Judge§
7a.

The Committee shall not recommend the appointment of a judge if the candidate has been convicted of a criminal offence which, in the circumstances of the matter, involves moral turpitude.

President of the Supreme Court and Deputy President [S/8]§
8.
(a)The President of the Supreme Court and the Deputy President of the Supreme Court shall be appointed pursuant to the provisions of section 4(a) of Basic Law: The Judiciary from among the judges of the Supreme Court.
(b)The term of office of the President of the Supreme Court and the Deputy President of the Supreme Court shall be seven years from the date of appointment, and they may not be reappointed for an additional term of office in the same position.
(c)(Repealed)
Presidents and Deputy Presidents of Other Courts [S/9]§
9.
(a)Presidents and deputy presidents of District Courts and of Magistrates' Courts shall be appointed by the Minister of Justice with the consent of the President of the Supreme Court, each from among the judges of the courts of the relevant grade.
(b)The term of office of presidents and deputy presidents of District Courts and of Magistrates' Courts shall be seven years from the date of appointment, and they may not be reappointed for an additional term of office in the same position in a court whose grade is identical to the grade of the court in which they served in that position.
(c)A person who will not be able to serve in the position of president or deputy president of a District Court or of a Magistrate's Court for at least three years, by reason of his retirement on pension pursuant to the provisions of section 13(a)(1), shall not be appointed to such position.
Continuation of Tenure of a President§
9a.
(a)A president of a Magistrate's Court who has been appointed as a judge of a District Court may, with his consent, continue to serve as president of the Magistrate's Court if the Minister of Justice so decides, with the consent of the President of the Supreme Court; however, during his tenure as president of the Magistrate's Court he shall adjudicate only in matters within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate's Court.
(b)Nothing in the provisions of this section shall derogate from the provisions of section 9.
Appointment in an Acting Capacity [S/10]§
10.
(a)The Minister of Justice may appoint, in an acting capacity, with the consent of the candidate and with the consent of the President of the Supreme Court –
(1)a judge of the Supreme Court – as president or as a judge of a District Court;
(2)a judge of a District Court – as a judge of the Supreme Court, as president of a District Court, as president of a Magistrate's Court or as a judge of a Magistrate's Court;
(3)a judge of a Magistrate's Court – as a judge of a District Court or as president of a Magistrate's Court;
(4)a traffic judge – as a judge of a Magistrate's Court.
(b)Service in an acting capacity under this section, continuously or intermittently, shall not exceed one year out of a period of three years, and in respect of a judge who is a Registrar appointed to serve in an acting capacity as a judge in the court in which he serves as Registrar – not more than four years out of a period of five years, provided that the consent of the President of the Supreme Court has been obtained therefor.
(c)A person appointed in an acting capacity under this section may also adjudicate in a matter within the jurisdiction of the court in which he permanently serves, provided that he does not adjudicate in the same matter in two instances.
Emeritus Judge§
10a.
(a)The Minister of Justice and the President of the Supreme Court jointly may appoint a judge of a District Court or a judge of a Magistrate's Court who has retired on pension under section 13(a)(1), (b) or (c) to the position of emeritus judge, and if he retired on pension under section 13(b)(3) – if the circumstances by reason of which he retired on pension do not prevent him from serving as an emeritus judge (in this Law – emeritus judge).
(b)A judge shall not be appointed as an emeritus judge unless 45 days have elapsed from the date on which the Minister of Justice and the President of the Supreme Court gave notice to the Committee of the intention to appoint him and no member of the Committee has submitted an objection to the appointment; where an objection has been submitted within that period, the Committee shall consider it and decide whether to approve the appointment.
(c)An emeritus judge shall be appointed for a period not exceeding four years, and the Minister of Justice and the President of the Supreme Court may, at the selection of the Committee, extend his appointment for one additional period not exceeding two years, all provided that a person who has reached the age of 75 shall not serve as an emeritus judge.
(d)An emeritus judge shall serve as a judge in a court whose grade is not higher than the grade of the court in which he served immediately before his retirement on pension.
(e)An emeritus judge shall be regarded as a judge for all intents and purposes; however, he may serve on a part-time basis.
(f)The number of emeritus judges serving shall not exceed 15 per cent of the number of filled judicial positions in Magistrates' Courts or in District Courts, as the case may be.

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Section D: Tenure

Effect of Appointment [S/12]§
11.

The appointment of a judge whose appointment has been published in Reshumot (Official Gazette) is not subject to challenge.

Resignation [S/16]§
12.

A judge may resign from his office by submitting a letter of resignation to the Minister of Justice; his tenure shall cease upon the expiry of three months from the submission of the letter of resignation, unless the Minister of Justice has agreed to an earlier date.

Retirement on Pension [S/17]§
13.
(a)A judge shall retire on pension –
(1)upon reaching the age of seventy;
(2)where the Committee has determined, on the basis of a medical opinion in accordance with rules it has prescribed, that by reason of his state of health he is prevented from continuing to perform his duties.
(b)A judge may retire on pension –
(1)after having served twenty years, if he has reached the age of sixty;
(2)after having served fifteen years, if he has reached the age of sixty-five;
(3)if he has so requested and the Committee has approved his request; the Committee may make its consent conditional upon the determination of a pension rate lower than that to which he is entitled by law.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b), a judge of a Magistrate's Court may retire on pension after having served twenty years if he has reached the age of fifty, or after having served fifteen years if he has reached the age of fifty-five, provided that he has given notice thereof to the Minister of Justice one year before the date of retirement on pension.
(d)In calculating the period of tenure of a judge for the purposes of subsection (b), any period of his service for the State or for another institution approved by the Finance Committee of the Knesset for this purpose, or part of such period, shall be added to the period of his tenure as a judge, all in accordance with rules prescribed by the Finance Committee.
Termination of Tenure by Decision of the Committee§
14.
(a)Where a proposal to terminate the tenure of a judge has been submitted to the Committee under section 7(4) of Basic Law: The Judiciary, the Committee may appoint from among its members a sub-committee to consider the proposal and to submit its findings and conclusions to the Committee.
(b)The Committee, and likewise the sub-committee if appointed, shall enable the judge to examine the material before them and shall give him an opportunity to present his arguments.
(c)Where the Committee has decided to terminate the tenure of a judge, it shall determine in its decision the date for the termination of tenure and, also, at its discretion, the rate of pension he shall receive, provided that the rate of pension shall not exceed the rate to which he would have been entitled had he continued to serve until reaching the age of seventy.
Power of a Judge to Complete Proceedings [S/18]§
15.
(a)A judge who has commenced proceedings and has retired on pension or withdrawn from office shall be competent to complete the proceedings within three months from the date of retirement on pension or withdrawal.
(b)A judge who has commenced proceedings and whose term of appointment to office has ended by reason of appointment to another instance, or because a term of acting service has ended, or because his term of service as a judge of the Administrative Affairs Court or as a judge of the Economic Division under section 42d has ended, shall be competent to complete the proceedings he has commenced.
(c)(Repealed)
Appointment of Former Judge [s/17a]§
16.

A person empowered by a legislative provision to appoint a judge, or a person qualified to be a judge, as chairperson of a committee or other body, may, after consulting with the President of the Supreme Court and with the consent of the candidate, appoint for that purpose, for a period to be determined, a person who was a judge as specified in the legislative provision and who has retired on pension or has resigned; and such a person may likewise appoint, with the consent of the candidate, a person who was a judge of a higher instance than that specified in the legislative provision.

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Section E: Ethics and Disciplinary Adjudication

Code of Ethics for Judges§
16a.

The President of the Supreme Court, with the agreement of the members of the bench of the Supreme Court and after consulting with the Minister of Justice, may prescribe a code of ethics for judges.

Ethics Committee§
16b.
(a)The President of the Supreme Court, after consulting with the Minister of Justice, shall appoint an Ethics Committee comprising three members, namely: a judge of the Supreme Court, who shall serve as chairperson, and two judges of the other courts.
(b)The Ethics Committee shall issue preliminary opinions on matters of ethics of judges, upon the application of a judge or Registrar to whom the code of ethics for judges prescribed pursuant to section 16a applies — in a matter that concerns him or her.
(c)A member of the Ethics Committee shall be appointed for a single term of six years.
(d)The Ethics Committee shall publish a preliminary opinion that it has issued, without indicating the name of the person in respect of whom the opinion was issued or other identifying particulars, unless it has decided otherwise.
(e)The Ethics Committee shall determine its working procedures and rules of proceedings, insofar as these have not been prescribed pursuant to this Law.
Composition of the Disciplinary Court [s/21]§
17.
(a)The Disciplinary Court for Judges (hereinafter — the Court) shall consist of five members — including three judges of the Supreme Court, or of three members — including two judges of the Supreme Court, all as the President of the Supreme Court shall determine for each matter.
(b)The members of the Court shall be appointed for each matter by the President of the Supreme Court pursuant to a decision of the members of its bench.
(c)The President of the Court shall be the President of the Supreme Court or the Deputy President of the Supreme Court or the most senior among the other judges of the Supreme Court, all according to the composition, and among those of equal seniority — the eldest among them.
(d)For the purposes of this section, "judge" includes a judge who has retired on pension.
Complaint against a Judge [s/22]§
18.
(a)The Minister of Justice may submit to the Court a complaint against a judge on the basis of one of the following grounds:
(1)the judge acted improperly in the discharge of his or her duties;
(2)the judge behaved in a manner unbecoming the status of a judge in Israel;
(3)the judge was convicted of an offence which, in the circumstances of the matter, involves moral turpitude;
(4)the Committee found that the judge obtained his or her appointment unlawfully.
(5)the judge violated a provision of the code of ethics for judges prescribed pursuant to section 16a.
(b)The Minister of Justice may be represented before the Court by his or her representative.
(c)In the examination of a complaint, the Court shall have all the powers vested in a District Court in a criminal matter.
Disciplinary Measures [s/22a]§
19.

The disciplinary measures that the Court is empowered to impose are:

(1)a remark;
(2)a warning;
(3)a reprimand;
(4)transfer to another place of tenure;
(5)removal from office, whether with payment of a pension or with its forfeiture, in whole or in part.
Transmittal of Decisions to the Minister of Justice [s/23]§
20.

The Court shall transmit its decisions, whether in favour of or against the judge, to the Minister of Justice.

Rules of Procedure [s/28 in fine]§
21.

The Minister of Justice may make Regulations for rules of procedure before the Disciplinary Court.

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LawAdministrative Law

חוק בתי המשפט [נוסח משולב], תשמ"ד-1984

courts law

courts law 1984

chok batei mishpat

unified courts law

consolidated courts law

israeli courts law

mishpat batim

courts statute

judicial organisation law

courts procedures