Debt Collection

Can a creditor file a claim for a fixed sum directly with the Israeli Execution Office?

Yes, in limited cases. Under Section 81A1 of the Execution Law 5727-1967, a creditor owed a fixed, liquidated sum supported by written evidence can open a claim for a fixed sum (tviʿa al sechum katzuv) directly at the Execution Office, without first suing in court, up to a statutory ceiling of approximately NIS 77,000 (2026). The debtor is served with a warning and has 30 days to pay or object. If the debtor files an objection, the matter is transferred to the regular court.

The mechanism is a streamlined shortcut for straightforward debts, such as unpaid invoices, dishonoured checks, or a signed loan, where the amount is certain and provable by documents. The creditor files the claim together with the supporting paperwork at the Execution Office (Hotzaa LaPoal), which then issues a warning (azhara) to the debtor. If the debtor does nothing within 30 days, the claim becomes enforceable much like a court judgment, and the creditor can pursue attachment of bank accounts, liens on property, and other execution measures. The ceiling on the claim amount is set by statute and updated periodically to track inflation.

For a foreign creditor, this route saves the cost and delay of a full lawsuit, but it works only below the monetary ceiling and only for genuinely liquidated sums. If the debtor files a written objection within the 30-day window, the case is transferred to the competent court and proceeds as an ordinary claim, so the shortcut is best suited to undisputed debts. Our guide to the Israeli Execution Office explains how enforcement measures then unfold. Larger or clearly disputed claims must start in court and be brought to the Execution Office only after a judgment is obtained.

⚖ In Practice
  • Governing law: Section 81A1, Execution Law 5727-1967 (Chok HaHotzaa LaPoal)
  • Competent authority: the Execution Office (Hotzaa LaPoal), under the Enforcement and Collection Authority
  • Ceiling: fixed-sum claims up to approximately NIS 77,000 (2026), indexed periodically
  • Debtor's window: 30 days from service to pay or file an objection
  • If objected: the file is transferred to the regular court for adjudication
  • Best use: undisputed, document-based debts such as invoices, dishonoured checks, and signed loans

From the full guide: The Israeli Execution Office: How Enforcement Works


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Get a Free Consultation with Adv. Eli ShimonyPrepared under the direction of Adv. Eli Shimony, Eli Shimony Law Office · Editorial policy

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