Corona news flash| Litigation update no. 1

Due to the dynamic developments occurring in Israel in connection with the Coronavirus, new rules of operations of the judicial system have been adopted by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court in Israel.
On March 15, 2020, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Amir Ohana, signed a notice, regarding the application of the Courts and Enforcement Bureau Regulations (Legal Procedures and Special Emergency Situation) 5751-1991.
According to the said Regulations and to further announcement made by the courts administration, the Israeli courts and the enforcement bureaus are currently under limited scope of operations; meaning, only certain, specific and designated issues are brought before the courts and the enforcement bureaus. Those issues include: Petitions to the High Court of Justice; Appeal proceedings before the Supreme Court in criminal, civil and administrative cases; Applications for receipt of temporary injunctions and for their cancellation (including a stay of proceedings) in the Supreme Court, the District and Magistrates Courts, preliminary cross-examination and urgent matters of enforcement.
The Regulations also provide that the days during which such Regulations are in effect will not be taken into account in respect of counting the number of days designated for performance under law or under practice, whether prescribed by law or in court decisions.
Further to the Regulations, on March 16, 2020, the Supreme Court clarified that the ’emergency days’ would not be counted. However, the Supreme Court emphasized that whenever a judicial decision by a competent court has set a precise date for specific action, then the court’s decision must be complied with as stated.
The Supreme Court also ruled that in view of the severe disruption to the public, the courts should adopt a more liberal approach when considering requests for extensions.
We remain, as ever, at your service and wish us all good health.

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