Rabbinical Courts (Rules of Procedure during a Special State of Emergency) Bill

What does the bill do?

The bill defines a special state of emergency as a situation in which normal life in the country or part of it has been disrupted due to a security situation, an epidemic, an earthquake or a natural disaster. When the Minister of Religious Services publishes a notice that a state of emergency exists, the rabbinical courts will be able to operate special procedures: hearings will be held only in urgent matters such as requests for interim relief, urgent family matters and requests to approve divorce agreements. The bill provides that the hearing periods will not be counted in calculating legal deadlines, and payment of fees may be deferred until the end of the emergency period.