# Pre-Suit Demand Letter Template (Michtav Hatra'a, מכתב התראה)

This reference provides a bilingual template for a pre-suit demand letter, along with guidance on what to include, when to send it, and how to ensure proper delivery.

## Why Send a Demand Letter

| Reason | Details |
|--------|---------|
| Shows good faith | Judges view favorably plaintiffs who attempted resolution before filing |
| May resolve the dispute | Many defendants pay after receiving a formal demand |
| Creates evidence | Documents your attempt to settle |
| Not a filing condition | No rule makes a prior demand a condition for filing, but it documents a good-faith attempt to settle |
| Cost-effective | Costs only the price of registered mail |

## When to Send

| Timing | Recommendation |
|--------|---------------|
| Before filing | Leave the recipient reasonable time to answer before you file; no statutory waiting period applies |
| Response deadline | A deadline you choose, commonly 14-30 days (a practical convention, not a legal rule) |
| Method | Registered mail (do'ar rashum, דואר רשום) for proof of delivery |
| Keep proof | Save the postal receipt and tracking confirmation |

## English Template

```
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
[Date]

Via Registered Mail

To:
[Defendant Full Name]
[Defendant Address]

RE: DEMAND FOR PAYMENT / RESOLUTION OF DISPUTE

Dear [Defendant Name],

I am writing to formally demand [payment / resolution] regarding the following
matter:

BACKGROUND:
On [date], [describe the transaction, agreement, or event that gave rise to the
dispute]. [Describe what was agreed upon, what was paid, and what was expected].

THE DISPUTE:
Despite [describe what you expected to happen], [describe what actually happened
or failed to happen]. Specifically:

1. [First point of dispute, with date and amount if applicable]
2. [Second point of dispute, with date and amount if applicable]
3. [Additional points as needed]

DEMAND:
I hereby demand that you [specific demand, e.g., "pay the sum of NIS ___" or
"return the deposit of NIS ___" or "complete the agreed-upon service"] within
[14/21/30] days of receiving this letter, that is, by [specific deadline date].

LEGAL BASIS:
This demand is based on [cite relevant law, e.g., "the Fair Rental Law 2017,"
"the Consumer Protection Law," "our written agreement dated ___," etc.].

CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE:
If this matter is not resolved by the above deadline, I will have no choice but
to file a claim in the Small Claims Court (Beit Mishpat LeTvi'ot Ktanot) for
the full amount of NIS [amount], plus filing fees, interest, and any additional
costs incurred.

I hope to resolve this matter amicably without court involvement.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Full Name]
[Teudat Zehut Number]
```

## Hebrew Template (Nusach B'Ivrit, נוסח בעברית)

```
[שם מלא]
[כתובת]
[מספר טלפון]
[דואר אלקטרוני]
[תאריך]

בדואר רשום

לכבוד:
[שם מלא של הנתבע]
[כתובת הנתבע]

הנדון: דרישה לתשלום / יישוב סכסוך

[שם הנתבע] שלום,

הנני פונה אליך בדרישה רשמית ל[תשלום / יישוב] בנוגע לעניין הבא:

רקע:
בתאריך [תאריך], [תיאור העסקה, ההסכם או האירוע שהוליד את הסכסוך]. [תיאור
מה שסוכם, מה שולם ומה היה צפוי].

הסכסוך:
למרות [תיאור מה שציפיתם שיקרה], [תיאור מה שקרה בפועל או מה שלא בוצע].
בפירוט:

1. [נקודת מחלוקת ראשונה, עם תאריך וסכום אם רלוונטי]
2. [נקודת מחלוקת שנייה, עם תאריך וסכום אם רלוונטי]
3. [נקודות נוספות לפי הצורך]

הדרישה:
הנני דורש/ת בזאת כי [דרישה ספציפית, לדוגמה: "תשלם/י את הסכום של ___ ש"ח"
או "תחזיר/י את הפיקדון בסך ___ ש"ח" או "תשלים/י את השירות המוסכם"] תוך
[14/21/30] ימים מקבלת מכתב זה, קרי עד לתאריך [תאריך מועד אחרון].

בסיס חוקי:
דרישה זו מבוססת על [ציון החוק הרלוונטי, לדוגמה: "חוק שכירות הוגנת 2017",
"חוק הגנת הצרכן", "ההסכם הכתוב שלנו מתאריך ___" וכד'].

תוצאות אי-ציות:
אם עניין זה לא ייפתר עד למועד האמור לעיל, לא תהיה לי ברירה אלא להגיש
תביעה בבית משפט לתביעות קטנות על מלוא הסכום של [סכום] ש"ח, בתוספת אגרות
הגשה, ריבית וכל עלות נוספת שתיגרם.

אני מקווה ליישב עניין זה בדרכי נועם ללא מעורבות בית משפט.

בכבוד רב,
[חתימה]
[שם מלא]
[מספר תעודת זהות]
```

## Customization Guide by Case Type

### Rental Deposit Dispute

| Field | What to Write |
|-------|---------------|
| Background | Lease dates, property address, deposit amount and type paid |
| Dispute | Lease ended on [date], 60+ days have passed, deposit not returned |
| Demand | Return of full deposit amount within 14 days |
| Legal basis | Fair Rental Law 2017 (60-day return requirement) |
| Amount | Original deposit amount plus interest if applicable |

### Consumer / Product Dispute

| Field | What to Write |
|-------|---------------|
| Background | Purchase date, product description, amount paid, warranty terms |
| Dispute | Product defective, store refused repair/replacement/refund |
| Demand | Full refund or replacement within 14 days |
| Legal basis | Consumer Protection Law (Chok Haganat HaTzarchan) |
| Amount | Purchase price plus any additional documented damages |

### Service Provider Dispute

| Field | What to Write |
|-------|---------------|
| Background | Contract date, service description, amount paid, agreed deliverables |
| Dispute | Service not completed, quality below agreed standard |
| Demand | Complete service or refund within 21 days |
| Legal basis | Contract law, specific contract terms |
| Amount | Amount paid for incomplete/defective service |

### Debt Collection

| Field | What to Write |
|-------|---------------|
| Background | Origin of debt, dates, amounts, any partial payments |
| Dispute | Borrower/debtor failed to repay despite verbal reminders |
| Demand | Full payment within 14 days |
| Legal basis | Contract or agreement terms |
| Amount | Outstanding balance plus agreed interest |

## Delivery Methods

| Method | Hebrew | Proof | Recommended |
|--------|--------|-------|-------------|
| Registered mail (Do'ar Rashum) | דואר רשום | Postal receipt + tracking | Yes (best proof) |
| Registered mail with delivery confirmation | דואר רשום עם אישור מסירה | Delivery signature | Yes (strongest proof) |
| Email with read receipt | דוא"ל עם אישור קריאה | Read receipt log | Acceptable backup |
| Fax (if available) | פקס | Transmission confirmation | Acceptable backup |
| Hand delivery with witness | מסירה ידנית עם עד | Witness statement | Acceptable |

**Best practice**: Send via registered mail AND email. The registered mail provides legal proof of delivery, and the email ensures the recipient sees the content promptly.

## After Sending: Next Steps

| Scenario | Action | Timeline |
|----------|--------|----------|
| Defendant pays in full | Document payment, close the matter | Within response deadline |
| Defendant offers partial payment | Negotiate, consider accepting to avoid court | Within response deadline |
| Defendant responds with objections | Evaluate their arguments, consider mediation | Within response deadline |
| No response at all | Proceed to file small claims case | After deadline passes |
| Defendant threatens counterclaim | Prepare your evidence, proceed with filing | After deadline passes |

## Important Notes

- **Keep a copy** of the letter and the postal receipt. You will need these as evidence in court.
- **Do not make threats** beyond legitimate legal action. Keep the tone professional.
- **Be specific** about amounts, dates, and what you are demanding. Vague demands weaken your position.
- **Set a realistic deadline**: 14 days is a common choice for straightforward payment demands (a convention, not a legal requirement). 21-30 days may be appropriate for complex matters.
- **Do not admit fault**: state facts objectively without accepting blame for any part of the dispute.