Israel Bar Exam study guide
Israel Bar Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Israel Bar Examination (בחינת הלשכה) is the licensing assessment that a law graduate must pass before being admitted to the Israel Bar Association and practising as an Israeli advocate. It is intended for holders of an Israeli LL.B. The Israel Bar Exam study guide has 11 sections and about 2,315 words.
01Civil Procedure and Evidence
Master the two-track court structure: Magistrate Courts (up to a statutory ceiling), District Courts (residual jurisdiction and appeals from Magistrates), and the Supreme Court sitting as a court of appeals and as High Court of Justice. Distinguish subject-matter jurisdiction from local (territorial) jurisdiction and from forum non conveniens.
312 words, about 2 min02Substantive Civil Law (Contracts, Torts, Property, Obligations)
Know the elements of contract formation: offer, acceptance, consideration (in Israeli law, the "cause" requirement is relaxed - gratuitous promises may bind when made in a formal manner or supported by reliance), and intention to create legal relations. Study the Remedies for Breach of Contract Law: expectation damages, reliance damages, specific performance, and the duty to mitigate.
254 words, about 1 min03Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
Understand the principle of legality (no punishment without a defined offense), the structure of an offense: actus reus (conduct, circumstances, result) and mens rea (intent, recklessness, negligence). Know the defenses: insanity, automatism, intoxication (voluntary intoxication generally does not excuse), mistake of fact vs.
242 words, about 1 min04Constitutional and Administrative Law
Israel has no single written constitution but has Basic Laws with supra-legislative status (the "constitutional revolution"). Know the limitation clause (Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty) and the proportionality test: (1) appropriate means, (2) least restrictive means, (3) proportionate impact.
215 words, about 1 min05Commercial and Corporate Law
Understand incorporation, separate legal personality, limited liability, and the piercing of the corporate veil (rare; requires abuse). Know the organs: general meeting, board of directors, and officers; the duties of care and loyalty of directors and officers; conflict-of-interest rules; and the derivative action and class action mechanisms.
200 words, about 1 min06Family Law and Inheritance
Israel's family law is partly religious (personal status governed by religious courts for members of recognized communities) and partly civil. Know the Succession Law and the Spouses' Property Relations Law.
207 words, about 1 min07Labor Law
Know the protective nature of labor law: the employee is the weaker party, and statutory rights cannot be waived to the employee's detriment. Understand the employment contract, the distinction between employee and independent contractor (the "integration" and "subordination" tests), working hours, overtime, rest days, annual leave, sick leave, and severance pay.
191 words, under 1 min08Tax Law
Know the structure: taxable income, deductions, credits, and the distinction between capital and income. Understand the taxation of individuals (progressive brackets), companies (corporate tax), and the rules on dividends, capital gains, and real estate (betterment tax and purchase tax).
167 words, under 1 min09Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Know the duties to the client (competence, diligence, confidentiality, loyalty, avoiding conflicts of interest), to the court (candor, no misleading), and to the profession (integrity, no unauthorized practice). Understand the rules on fees, trust accounts, and the prohibition on receiving a contingent fee in criminal matters.
198 words, under 1 min10Jewish Law (Mishpat Ivri) and Foundations of Israeli Law
Know the sources: Ottoman law, Mandatory law, Israeli legislation, and the judicial "judge-made" law. Understand the role of precedent (stare decisis), the Basic Laws, and the influence of Jewish law as a source of inspiration (not binding as such).
182 words, under 1 min11International and Public Law
Know the sources: treaties, custom, general principles, and judicial decisions. Understand the law of treaties (formation, reservation, interpretation, termination), state responsibility, and the rules on the use of force (self-defense, Security Council authorization).
147 words, under 1 min