How Israeli firms can navigate Czech courts: Practical guidance on litigation

Mgr. Vojtěch Sucharda
Mgr. Vojtěch Sucharda
30.3.2026 | ARROWS law firm

When an Israeli business faces a legal dispute in the Czech Republic, the path forward is rarely straightforward. Czech courts operate under fundamentally different rules than Israeli courts, creating obstacles many companies encounter only when deep in litigation. Understanding these differences beforehand can distinguish a manageable matter from a financial burden.

Image depicts a legal expert consulting about cross-border litigation differences.

The Czech Republic operates under a civil law system. While Israeli law has roots in the common law tradition with a strong adversarial nature, Czech civil procedure places a heavy emphasis on written submissions and formal proofs.

Although the system is adversarial in commercial disputes—meaning parties are responsible for gathering evidence—the judge manages the proceedings strictly. The judge evaluates evidence according to the principle of "free evaluation of evidence."

The Czech legal system is also deeply integrated into the European Union framework. As a member state of the EU, the Czech Republic applies EU law across numerous sectors—from commercial disputes to employment matters—creating additional layers of complexity.

For Israeli firms, this means that directly applicable EU Regulations often supersede national law. This applies particularly to regulations regarding jurisdiction or evidence taking.

ARROWS Law Firm regularly assists international companies, including Israeli businesses, in understanding these structural differences. Our lawyers combine deep knowledge of the Czech legal environment with experience in international and cross-border cases.

The role of court-appointed experts

One of the most critical aspects Israeli companies encounter in Czech courts is the pivotal role of court-appointed experts (soudní znalec). In technical disputes and complex commercial damages cases, the judge often cannot decide without expert knowledge.

Unlike in some jurisdictions where "party experts" battle it out, in the Czech Republic, the court typically appoints one neutral expert to answer technical questions. While parties can submit their own expert opinions, the review appointed by the court carries the most significant weight.

The court defines the questions for the expert, and the expert is paid initially by the party requesting the evidence via a substantial advance deposit. For Israeli firms, this reality requires a strategic shift regarding the use of private consultants.

You cannot rely solely on the persuasive power of your own hired consultants. Instead, you must focus on formulating the right questions for the court-appointed expert and be prepared to challenge their methodology effectively during the questioning phase.

ARROWS Law Firm's lawyers have extensive experience managing court-appointed expert procedures. We know how to structure your evidence to be persuasive, how to propose the right questions for the expert, and how to challenge expert findings through procedural objections.

Frequently asked legal questions about Legal tips on Czech court procedures and experts

1. Can I control what evidence the judge examines in Czech courts?
The parties are responsible for proposing evidence. However, the judge decides which of the proposed evidence will be conducted. The judge may also take evidence not proposed by parties in very specific circumstances.

2. What happens if the judge appoints an expert I disagree with?
You have the right to challenge the expert's findings, question the expert during the hearing, and submit a "review expert opinion" ( revizní znalecký posudek ). However, overturning a court-appointed expert's conclusion requires robust technical and legal argumentation.

3. How do court-appointed experts differ from expert witnesses I might hire in Israeli litigation?
Court experts are public officials for the purpose of the proceedings. They must be impartial. While you can hire a private expert to support your claims, the judge will almost always prioritize the independent expert appointed by the court.

A critical difference that often catches Israeli companies off guard is the nature of legal representation. In the Czech Republic, while a company executive can theoretically act on behalf of the company in district courts, it is highly impractical and risky.

However, for appellate proceedings before the Supreme Court ( Nejvyšší soud ) and the Constitutional Court, representation by a qualified attorney is mandatory by law. In standard litigation, if a company is not represented by a professional, it risks severe procedural failures.

For Israeli firms, this means you should not attempt to manage litigation directly or through non-qualified proxies. You generally need to engage a Czech-qualified attorney who acts based on a Power of Attorney and bears professional liability for procedural correctness.

1. Can my Israeli lawyer represent my company in Czech courts?
No. Only attorneys admitted to the Czech Bar Association (or registered European lawyers under specific conditions) can represent clients in Czech courts. Your Israeli counsel can consult but cannot litigate.

2. Can I represent myself or my company directly?
In lower courts, yes, a statutory representative (CEO) can act. However, due to strict procedural rules and the requirement for electronic communication (Data Boxes) with the court, self-representation is strongly discouraged and rarely successful.

3. What is the liability?
A Czech attorney is insured for professional liability by law. If they miss a deadline due to their fault, you have recourse. If you represent yourself and make a mistake, you have no such protection.

Procedural timeline and concentration of proceedings

Czech courts operate under the principle of "concentration of proceedings" ( koncentrace řízení ). This is a strict statutory rule stating that parties must submit all decisive facts and evidence by a specific moment—typically at the end of the first hearing.

Any evidence or facts submitted after this deadline are legally disregarded by the court, with very limited exceptions. This is a shock to many international clients who are used to introducing new evidence throughout the trial.

The typical timeline for a commercial dispute in a Czech court runs between 1.5 to 3 years for first-instance proceedings. During this period, missing the concentration deadline effectively loses the case.

For Israeli companies, this reality demands meticulous preparation before the first hearing. You need a legal team that ensures all evidence is gathered early.

ARROWS Law Firm handles cross-border litigation daily. We maintain integrated systems for tracking court dates and ensuring that the "concentration" trap does not catch our clients.

Evidence and documentation

Israeli companies often discover during Czech litigation that their existing documentation does not meet the formal standards Czech courts expect. Czech courts place high value on written contracts and formal correspondence.

Furthermore, documents created in Israel generally must be legalized (usually via Apostille) to be accepted as official public deeds. While private documents (emails, internal contracts) do not always need an Apostille, their evidentiary weight can be challenged.

All documents submitted to the court must be in the Czech language. If the original is in Hebrew or English, it must be translated by a court-appointed sworn translator ( soudní tlumočník ).

ARROWS Law Firm regularly advises international clients on evidence standards. We can review your documentation, identify authentication needs, and coordinate sworn translations to ensure admissibility.

Language and translation

As noted, the language of the proceedings is exclusively Czech. Judges are not obliged to review evidence in English or Hebrew. This creates a cost and time factor for every contract or report used as evidence.

The cost for a sworn translation is regulated but can accumulate quickly in document-heavy disputes. Moreover, legal nuances can be lost.

ARROWS Law Firm works regularly with Israeli clients and can coordinate these services efficiently. We help select which documents are strictly necessary to translate to manage costs without compromising the case strategy.

International elements and enforcement

If your dispute involves parties in other EU countries, the Brussels I bis Regulation applies. This allows for relatively smooth recognition and enforcement of judgments within the EU.

However, relations between the Czech Republic and Israel are not governed by a specific bilateral treaty on the recognition and enforcement of judgments. Enforcement relies on the principle of reciprocity and national laws of the enforcing state.

For Israeli firms, this means that before suing a Czech entity, you must analyze where the assets are located. If the debtor has no assets in the Czech Republic or the EU, obtaining a judgment in Prague might be a Pyrrhic victory.

ARROWS Law Firm assesses enforceability from the beginning. We check asset status and legal reciprocity to ensure that litigation makes commercial sense.

Costs and budgeting for Czech litigation

Litigation costs in the Czech Republic are transparent but can be significant. For commercial disputes involving a monetary claim, the court fee is typically 5% of the amount sued for.

For example, for a dispute of CZK 10 million (approx. EUR 400,000), the court fee is CZK 500,000 (approx. EUR 20,000). This fee is payable upon filing.

Attorney fees can be contractual or based on the statutory tariff. The "loser pays" principle applies, meaning the unsuccessful party must reimburse the successful party's legal costs based on the statutory tariff.

Budgeting CZK 500,000–2,000,000 (EUR 20,000–80,000) for complex first-instance proceedings is a realistic baseline. This estimate includes fees, translations, and experts for mid-sized commercial disputes.

ARROWS Law Firm provides transparent cost estimates. We help you understand the "loser pays" risk and structure our fees to provide maximum value.

Alternative dispute resolution

Before entering court, consider Arbitration or Mediation. The Czech Republic allows for arbitration if there is a valid arbitration clause.

Arbitration at the Arbitration Court attached to the Czech Chamber of Commerce is faster but can be more expensive. Mediation is also encouraged, and a court can even order a mandatory first meeting with a mediator.

ARROWS Law Firm can advise you on whether litigation, arbitration, or mediation is the best path.

Common pitfalls in Czech litigation for Israeli firms

Risks and sanctions

How ARROWS (office@arws.cz) helps

Concentration of Proceedings (Preclusion): Failure to submit evidence by the first hearing results in the court disregarding it entirely.

Procedural vigilance : ARROWS lawyers prepare the case fully before the first hearing.

Inadmissible evidence : Documents lacking Apostille or sworn translation are rejected or given little weight.

Formal compliance : ARROWS coordinates sworn translations and proper legalization (Apostille) of Israeli documents.

Court Fees and "Loser Pays": Underestimating the 5% court fee or the obligation to pay the opponent’s costs if you lose.

Cost benefit analysis : We provide a clear calculation of court fees and potential cost-reimbursement risks.

Enforcement hurdles : Winning a judgment that cannot be enforced in Israel due to lack of treaties.

Enforcement strategy : We analyze the asset location and enforceability under private international law.

Missed procedural deadlines : Czech deadlines are strictly statutory and cannot be extended by the court in most cases.

Deadline management : Our internal systems ensure strict compliance with all statutory deadlines.

Executive summary for management

For Israeli company directors, the key takeaway is that Czech litigation is formalistic. The "concentration of proceedings" rule means you have one main shot at presenting your evidence.

The court fee is 5% of the claim, payable upfront. Representation by a Czech attorney is practically essential to navigate the electronic Data Box system and procedural pitfalls.

ARROWS Law Firm provides the necessary expertise. We navigate the Civil Procedure Code so you can focus on your business.

Conclusion

Israeli firms operating in the Czech Republic face distinctive challenges when litigation becomes unavoidable. The Czech legal system's civil law structure and the strict "concentration" principle create an environment quite different from Israeli courts.

However, these challenges are manageable with expert guidance. ARROWS Law Firm has extensive experience assisting international clients. We speak English, understand the legal systems, and provide clear guidance.

Contact ARROWS Law Firm today. Write to us at office@arws.cz.

1. What is the first step if my Israeli company faces a legal dispute in the Czech Republic?
Engage a Czech-qualified attorney immediately. Do not reply to court orders yourself. The strict deadlines start running from the moment the order is delivered to your company's Data Box. Contact ARROWS Law Firm at office@arws.cz.

2. Can my Israeli legal team represent my company in Czech courts?
No. They cannot act as your counsel of record in Czech courts. They can cooperate with us, but a Czech Bar Association member must handle the filings and hearings.

3. How long does typical commercial litigation take?
Expect 1.5–3 years for a first-instance judgment in complex commercial cases. Appeals can add another 1–2 years.

4. What is the most important procedural rule to know?
The "Concentration of Proceedings." You must submit all evidence by the end of the first hearing. Anything submitted later is usually disregarded.

5. How much is the court fee?
For monetary disputes, it is 5% of the claimed amount (e.g., CZK 500,000 for a CZK 10 million claim).

6. Is mediation possible?
Yes, and often recommended. Courts can also order a mandatory initial meeting with a registered mediator.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and serves as a basic guide to the issue as of 2026. Although we strive for maximum accuracy, laws and their interpretation evolve. We are ARROWS Law Firm, a member of the Czech Bar Association. To verify the current wording of the regulations and their application to your specific situation, it is necessary to contact ARROWS Law Firm directly (office@arws.cz). We are not liable for any damages arising from the independent use of the information in this article without prior individual legal consultation.

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