Commercial Contracts Lawyer in Israel
Drafting, reviewing and negotiating all types of commercial agreements in Israel — from service contracts and NDAs to complex cross-border and joint venture agreements. Personal service by Adv. Reut Eliyahu, with over 20 years of commercial law experience.
Commercial Contracts in Israel — At a Glance
A commercial contract in Israel is any legally binding agreement governing a business relationship — between companies, between a business and its suppliers or clients, or between founders and investors. Israeli contract law imposes obligations of good faith on all parties, making precise drafting essential. Our firm drafts, reviews and negotiates all categories of commercial agreements, protecting your interests from the moment of signature.
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Commercial Contracts in Israel — The Risk No Business Can Afford to Ignore
Most commercial disputes in Israel are not the result of bad faith — they are the result of contracts that were drafted without legal review. Ambiguous delivery terms, missing liability caps, unclear IP ownership and absent termination rights: these are the clauses that become the subject of costly litigation years after a deal was signed. Israeli courts have broad discretion to imply terms and award remedies under the Contracts (General Part) Law 5733-1973, meaning a poorly worded contract can bind you in ways you never intended.
Eliyahu & Co. Law Office has been drafting and reviewing commercial contracts in Israel for over 20 years. Adv. Reut Eliyahu handles every file personally — no templates, no junior associates, no generic documents. Whether you are entering a new supplier relationship, structuring a joint venture, protecting your business with an NDA, or reviewing a contract from a foreign counterpart, you receive senior legal counsel tailored to your specific transaction.
Our commercial contracts practice covers the full spectrum: service and consulting agreements, supply contracts, distribution and agency arrangements, NDAs and non-competes, founders' agreements, investment documents, franchise agreements, cross-border contracts, and commercial disputes arising from any of them.
Service & Consulting Agreements
Drafting and review of service contracts, consulting agreements, SaaS agreements, retainer arrangements and professional services contracts under Israeli law.
NDAs & Confidentiality
Non-disclosure agreements, trade secret protections, non-compete clauses and information security arrangements — for employees, partners, investors and vendors.
Joint Ventures & Founders
Joint venture agreements, founders' agreements, cooperation and partnership arrangements — governing rights, obligations, IP ownership and exit provisions.
Cross-Border Contracts
International commercial agreements adapted to Israeli law, governing law and jurisdiction clauses, and legal review of foreign template contracts for Israel-based parties.
Commercial Contracts We Draft, Review & Negotiate in Israel
Every commercial relationship involves a legal agreement — whether formal or informal. Our practice covers the complete range of commercial contracts used in Israeli business, with particular expertise in high-stakes agreements where the drafting quality directly affects your risk exposure.
📑 Service & Consulting Contracts
Agreements defining the scope, deliverables, fees and IP ownership for professional services relationships — consultants, service providers, technology vendors and external specialists. Includes limitation of liability clauses, IP assignment, confidentiality and IP ownership provisions critical for technology and knowledge-based businesses.
📦 Supply & Procurement Agreements
Contracts governing ongoing supply of goods or materials — including pricing mechanisms, quality standards, delivery timelines, acceptance procedures, warranties, indemnification for defective goods and rights upon supply failure. Essential for manufacturers, distributors and retail businesses operating under Israeli commercial law.
🔄 Distribution & Agency Agreements
Agreements appointing Israeli distributors or agents for foreign products, or appointing overseas distributors for Israeli products — covering exclusivity territory, minimum performance obligations, term and termination, IP licensing, and the critical distinction between agent and distributor under Israeli law.
🤫 NDAs, Non-Competes & Trade Secrets
Non-disclosure agreements for preliminary negotiations, partnership discussions, investor meetings and employee relationships. Non-compete and non-solicitation clauses — including guidance on enforceability under Israeli labour and contract law. Trade secret protection frameworks.
🤝 Joint Venture & Cooperation Agreements
Structuring and documentation of joint ventures between Israeli and international parties — defining contribution, ownership, governance, IP rights, profit distribution, deadlock resolution and exit mechanisms. Includes both contractual JVs and entity-based arrangements.
💼 Founders' & Shareholders' Agreements
Founders' agreements defining equity splits, roles, vesting schedules and IP assignments at company formation. Shareholders' agreements governing voting rights, transfer restrictions, dilution protections, dividend policy and exit provisions. These documents prevent the majority of startup and SME corporate disputes.
📊 Investment & Financing Documents
Term sheets, convertible note agreements, SAFE agreements adapted to Israeli law, investment agreements and subscription documents for seed and growth-stage companies. Review of investor-provided documents for Israeli legal compliance and founder protection.
🌐 Cross-Border & International Agreements
Commercial contracts between Israeli parties and foreign counterparts — including governing law selection, jurisdiction clauses, enforcement considerations, applicable international conventions and adaptation of foreign template agreements (US, UK, EU) to Israeli legal requirements.
Franchisee and franchisor agreements under Israeli law, including regulatory disclosure requirements, IP licensing and operational standards.
Software licensing, SaaS terms of service, technology development agreements and data processing arrangements for Israeli and international tech companies.
Commercial construction contracts, contractor and subcontractor agreements, EPC and turnkey project documentation under Israeli law.
How We Handle Your Commercial Contract
Every commercial contract engagement follows a structured process designed to give you maximum legal protection with minimum disruption to your business schedule. You speak directly with Adv. Eliyahu throughout — not with staff or associates.
Free Initial Consultation
We discuss the nature of the agreement, the counterparty, the commercial goals and any specific risks or concerns you have identified. This takes 20–30 minutes by phone or video call — at no charge.
Legal Assessment & Scope
We review any existing draft, identify the key legal issues and provide a clear written scope and fee estimate. For standard contract types we typically provide a same-day or next-day estimate.
Drafting or Detailed Review
Adv. Eliyahu personally drafts the agreement or reviews the counterparty's draft in detail — identifying risk clauses, missing protections and negotiation priorities. You receive a marked-up document with a clear legal memorandum explaining each issue.
Negotiation & Revision
We negotiate with the counterparty's legal counsel or directly with the counterparty, handling all rounds of revision until the agreement reflects your agreed positions. We advise on which points to hold firm and where commercial flexibility is legally safe.
Signing & Post-Signature Support
We advise on execution formalities, electronic signature requirements under Israeli law, and any post-signature obligations (registration, notification, regulatory filings). We remain available for interpretation questions during the contract's term.
Understanding Israeli Commercial Contract Law
Commercial contracts in Israel operate within a distinct legal framework that differs meaningfully from US, UK and EU contract law. Understanding these differences is essential for any business operating in or with Israel.
📜 The Contracts Law 5733-1973
The primary statute governing all commercial contracts in Israel. Imposes a broad duty of good faith (s.12) during negotiations and (s.39) during performance — a standard that is more expansive than common law good faith. Parties who breach good faith during negotiations can face pre-contractual liability even without a signed agreement.
⚖️ Remedies for Breach (Law 5731-1970)
The Contracts (Remedies for Breach) Law governs enforcement. Specific performance is generally available as a primary remedy in Israel — unlike many common law jurisdictions where it is exceptional. Liquidated damages clauses are enforceable unless "grossly disproportionate" to actual damage. Compensatory damages cover both direct loss and foreseeable consequential damages.
🏛️ Jurisdiction & Dispute Resolution
Israeli courts have jurisdiction over disputes where the contract was performed or signed in Israel, or where a party is Israeli-resident. Arbitration clauses are enforceable under the Arbitration Law 5728-1968. International arbitration (ICC, LCIA, AAA) is increasingly used for high-value cross-border transactions. We advise on the most appropriate forum for your specific transaction.
📋 Standard Form Contracts
The Standard Contracts Law 5743-1982 regulates "standard form" contracts in Israel — contracts drafted by one party and presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. Oppressive or unusually unfair clauses can be struck down by the Standard Contracts Tribunal (Beit Din). This affects many consumer and commercial agreements prepared by dominant suppliers.
🔒 Intellectual Property in Contracts
Israeli law (Patent Law, Copyright Law, Trade Secrets Law) provides different default rules for IP ownership in employment vs. independent contractor relationships. Contracts must explicitly address IP assignment to avoid disputes. For technology development agreements especially, IP ownership clauses are among the most important provisions.
💱 Foreign Currency & Payment Terms
Israeli contracts may be denominated in NIS or foreign currency. The Payment of Wages Law and Currency Control Regulations impose specific rules for certain payment arrangements. Cross-border payment terms must account for Israeli tax withholding requirements and banking regulation, particularly for payments to or from non-residents.
Commercial Contracts for International Clients in Israel
Foreign businesses entering the Israeli market — whether through a local subsidiary, a distribution agreement, a technology partnership or a supply arrangement — routinely need Israeli-law contract review and drafting. We work with clients from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Australia and many other countries, providing all services in English and handling the majority of work fully remotely.
✔ Review foreign template agreements for Israeli law compliance
✔ Draft Israeli-law governing commercial contracts with local parties
✔ Advise on governing law, jurisdiction and enforcement options
✔ Provide Israeli legal opinions for foreign counsel
✔ Negotiate contracts with Israeli counterparties on your behalf
✔ Support distribution, agency and franchising arrangements in Israel
✔ Handle contract disputes with Israeli companies in Israeli courts
✔ Fully remote — no travel to Israel required
✔ All communication and documents in English
✔ Direct contact with Adv. Eliyahu personally
✔ Video or phone consultations across time zones
✔ Response within one business day
✔ Clear, itemized fee estimates before any work begins
✔ Electronic signature and remote execution support
Adv. Reut Eliyahu
Founder & Managing Attorney · Eliyahu & Co. Law Office · Herzliya Pituach · Licensed — Israel Bar Association
Adv. Reut Eliyahu has been advising businesses on commercial contracts and commercial law in Israel for over 20 years. Founded in 2007, Eliyahu & Co. Law Office is built on one principle: every client works directly with the senior partner. When you submit a contract for review, Adv. Eliyahu reviews it. When you need a contract drafted, she drafts it. There are no handoffs to junior lawyers and no generic documents sent by staff.
Her commercial contracts practice spans all major agreement types — from straightforward service contracts and NDAs for early-stage businesses, to complex multi-party joint venture agreements, cross-border supply contracts and investment documentation for established companies. She advises both Israeli businesses and international clients, with all communications available in English.
The firm operates from Herzliya Pituach and serves clients across Israel and internationally. Most contract work — drafting, review, negotiation — can be completed entirely remotely, making it practical for overseas clients to engage Israeli legal counsel without travel.
Senior partner on every file
Response within 1 business day
Full English service, no travel needed
Contracts + corporate + litigation
Commercial Contracts in Israel — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about commercial contracts, contract review and commercial law in Israel — from Israeli businesses and international clients.
A commercial contracts lawyer in Israel drafts, reviews and negotiates all types of business agreements — including service contracts, supply and procurement agreements, distribution and agency agreements, NDAs, joint venture agreements, founders' agreements, investment documents and cross-border contracts. The lawyer identifies legal risks before you sign, tailors terms to protect your interests, and represents you if a dispute arises from a contract.
Israeli contract law (primarily the Contracts Law 5733-1973) gives courts significant discretion to fill gaps, imply terms and award remedies — meaning a poorly drafted contract may bind you in ways you did not intend, or fail to protect you when you need it most. A lawyer identifies ambiguous clauses, missing protections, unfair liability allocations and jurisdiction issues before they become costly disputes. The cost of reviewing a contract is almost always a fraction of the cost of litigating one.
We draft, review and negotiate all categories of commercial agreements: service and consulting contracts, supply and procurement agreements, distribution and agency agreements, franchise agreements, joint venture and cooperation agreements, founders' and shareholders' agreements, investment documents, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), non-compete clauses, licensing agreements, and cross-border contracts governed by or adapted to Israeli law.
Commercial contracts in Israel are primarily governed by the Contracts (General Part) Law 5733-1973, the Contracts (Remedies for Breach) Law 5731-1970, and — for specific contract types — the Sale Law, the Service Provision Law and others. Courts also apply principles of good faith (uberrima fides), which imposes active obligations on parties during both formation and performance of contracts. This makes precise drafting especially important in Israel.
Yes. We regularly draft and review contracts between Israeli companies and international parties, advise on governing law and jurisdiction clauses, and adapt foreign template agreements to comply with Israeli law. We also provide legal opinions on Israeli contract law for foreign lawyers and clients. All services are available in English and can be provided fully remotely.
Every commercial contract in Israel should clearly define: the parties and their legal status, the subject matter and deliverables, price and payment terms, duration and termination rights, liability caps and indemnification, confidentiality obligations, intellectual property ownership, governing law and dispute resolution (court jurisdiction or arbitration), and force majeure provisions. Missing or ambiguous clauses in any of these areas are the most common source of commercial disputes.
Under Israeli law, breach of contract entitles the non-breaching party to remedies including: specific performance (compelling the other party to perform), damages (compensation for actual loss and foreseeable indirect loss), cancellation of the contract, and restitution. The Contracts (Remedies for Breach) Law 5731-1970 governs these remedies. Liquidated damages clauses are enforceable in Israel if not unreasonably punitive. We advise on pre-litigation strategy and represent clients in Israeli courts at all levels. See also our Civil Attorney in Israel page.
Fill in the contact form below, call us at 074-704-7104, or email office@israel-law.co. Describe your situation briefly — the type of agreement, the parties involved, and whether there is any urgency. We will respond within one business day with a clear assessment and cost estimate. The first consultation is free and without obligation.
Free First Consultation — Commercial Contracts in Israel
Fill in the form and we will respond within one business day. The first consultation is free — for Israeli businesses and international clients.
HaOgen 4
Herzliya Pituach, Israel
Sun – Thu: 08:00 – 19:00
Fri: 08:00 – 13:00
Remote consultations available — phone or video call in English for overseas clients.