Can an Israeli court freeze a debtor's assets before a final judgment is entered?

Pre-judgment asset freezes in Israel are governed by both the Courts Law 5744-1984 and the Civil Procedure Regulations 5744-1984. An *atzurat nechassim* — a temporary attachment of assets — allows a creditor to register a freeze against specific property at the Land Registry, direct a bank to freeze accounts, block vehicle registrations, or restrain transfers of shares. To obtain the order, the applicant must satisfy two tests: first, a prima facie case (*tviut bet mishraat*) showing the underlying claim is plausible on the evidence presented; and second, the balance of convenience (*shikul dvraim*), demonstrating that the harm to the creditor from not freezing the assets outweighs the harm to the debtor from the freeze. Courts also apply a "real risk of dissipation" requirement — concern about non-payment is not sufficient on its own; there must be evidence suggesting the debtor is moving or concealing assets.

For a foreign creditor seeking to collect from an Israeli debtor, a pre-judgment freeze can be a decisive early step, securing assets before the debtor becomes aware of the claim. The procedure is initiated by filing an urgent motion with the relevant District Court or Magistrate's Court, accompanied by an affidavit, supporting documents, and a bank guarantee or cash deposit to cover the debtor's potential damages if the order is later found to have been wrongly granted. The deposit typically represents 5%–15% of the sum sought. Creditors who obtain a pre-judgment freeze must usually file the main lawsuit within 30 days or the freeze expires. A detailed guide to the procedure, documentation, and strategy is available in the complete guide to pre-judgment asset freezes in Israel.

From the full guide: Pre-Judgment Asset Freezes in Israel: Procedure and Strategy

← Browse all Q&A