THE STATE: Judiciary: The Court System
Israeli Missions Around The World MFA About Israel State THE STATE: Judiciary: The Court System

THE STATE: Judiciary: The Court System

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    The independence of the judiciary is guaranteed by law.
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    The independence of the judiciary is guaranteed by law. Judges are appointed by the president, upon recommendation of a nominations committee comprised of Supreme Court judges, members of the bar, and public figures. Appointments are permanent, with mandatory retirement at age 70.
     
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    Aerial view of the Supreme Court Building 
    Aerial view of the Supreme Court Building (Photo: GPO / A. Ohayon)


  • The Court System

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    Special Courts (1 judge) 

    Traffic, labor, juvenile, military and municipal courts, with clearly defined jurisdiction; administrative tribunals.

    Religious Courts (1 or 3 judges)
    Jurisdiction in matters of personal status (marriage, divorce, maintenance, guardianship, adoption) vested in judicial institutions of the respective religious communities: Jewish rabbinical courts, Muslim sharia courts, Druze religious courts, ecclesiastical courts of the ten recognized Christian communities in Israel.


    Magistrates’ Court (1 judge)

    Civil and minor criminal offenses; jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases.


    District Court (1 or 3 judges)

    Appellate jurisdiction over magistrates’ courts; original jurisdiction in more important civil and criminal cases.


    Supreme Court (1, 3, 5 or a larger uneven number of judges)

    Ultimate appellate jurisdiction nationwide; right to address issues when necessary to intervene for the sake of justice; authority to release persons illegally detained or imprisoned; sitting as a High Court of Justice, hears petitions against any government body or agent and is the court of first and last instance.