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The Codification of Civil Law and the Law of Torts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2016

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From the establishment of the State until the present day, two quiet “revolutions” have occurred in Israeli law — the first in the area of public law, and the second in the area of private law. In public law we have witnessed the incorporation of a functional constitution — partly in the form of the Basic Laws, prescribed by the Knesset as constitutive authority; and partly through the consolidation of human rights, the handiwork of the Supreme Court engaged in judicial lawmaking. In private law we have witnessed the coalescing of a civil codification — mainly the product of the Knesset as legislative authority with judicial lawmaking “between the cracks” of the legislation.

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The Codification of Civil Law and the Law of Torts
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press and The Faculty of Law, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 1990

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References

1 On the Basic Laws, see Rubinstein, A., The Constitutional Law of Israel (Tel Aviv, Schocken, 3rded., 1980, in Hebrew) 279Google Scholar.

2 See Rubinstein, supra n. 1, at 276, and Klein, , “The Constitutional Power in Israel” (1970) 2 Mishpatim 51Google Scholar.

3 See Shapira, and Bracha, , “The Constitutional Status of Individual Freedoms” (1972) 2 Iyunei Mishpat 20Google Scholar; Shapira, , “The Supreme Court as Guardian of the Individuals' Fundamental Freedoms in Israel: a Fortified Bastion or Paper Tiger?” (1973) 3 Iyunei Mishpat 625Google Scholar.

4 On judicial legislation, see Barak, A., Judicial Discretion(Yale University Press, 1989) 90CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

5 See Barak, , “Towards A Codification of Civil Law” (1973) 3 Iyunei Mishpat 5Google Scholar; Barak, , “The Independence of the New Civil Codification: Risks and Opportunities” (1976) 7 Mishpatim 15Google Scholar; Yadin, , “The Succession Law as Part of the Israeli Civil Law Legislation” (1973) 3 Iyunei Mishpat 26Google Scholar; Yadin, , “Toward the Codification of the Civil Law in Israel” (1979) 6 Iyunei Mishpat 506Google Scholar; Yadin, , “How Will the Custodian Law Be Interpreted?” (1968) 24 HaPraklit 493Google Scholar.

6 For a list of the laws that should be included in the codifying Israel legislation in civil law, see infra n. 9.

7 I refer to Justice Holmes' famous words in Southern Pacific Co. v. Jensen, 244 U.S. 205 (1917). See also Landau, , “Precedent and Discretion in Lawmaking” (1965) 1 Mishpatim 292Google Scholar.

8 See Barak, , “Judicial Creativity: Interpretation, the Pilling of Gaps (Lacunae) and the Development of Law” (1990) 39 HaPraklit 267Google Scholar.

9 In this context the following laws should be included: Capacity and Guardianship Law, 1962 (16 L.S.I. 106); Succession Law, 1965 (19 L.S.I. 58); Agency Law, 1965 (19 L.S.I. 231); Guarantee Law, 1967 (21 L.S.I. 41); Pledge Law, 1967 (21 L.S.I. 44); Bailees Law, 1967 (21 L.S.I. 49); Sale Law, 1968 (22 L.S.I. 107); Gift Law, 1968 (22 L.S.I. 113); Transfer of Obligations Law, 1969 (23 L.S.I. 277); Land Law, 1969 (23 L.S.I. 283); Contracts (Remedies for Breach of Contract) Law, 1970 (25 L.S.I. 11); Hire and Loan Law, 1971 (25 L.S.I. 152); Movable Property Law, 1971 (25 L.S.I. 175); Contracts (General Part) Law, 1973 (27 L.S.I. 117); Restoration of Lost Property Law, 1973 (27 L.S.I. 187); Contract for Services Law, 1974 (28 L.S.I. 115); Road Accident Victims Compensation Law, 1975 (29 L.S.I. 311); Unjust Enrichment Law, 1979 (33 L.S.I. 44); Trust Law, 1979 (33 L.S.I. 154); Defective Products (Liability) Law, 1980 (34 L.S.I. 92); Insurance Contract Law, 1981 (35 L.S.I. 91). The following should also be added to this legislation: Defamation Law, 1965 (19 L.S.I. 254); Prescription Law, 1958 (12 L.S.I. 129); Sale (Housing) Law, 1973 (27 L.S.I. 213); Sale (International Sale of Goods) Law, 1971 (25 L.S.I. 32); Civil Wrongs (Liability of the State) Law, 1952 (6 L.S.I. 147); Law of Torts Amendment (Repair of Bodily Harm) Law, 1964 (18 L.S.I. 64).

10 See the Repeal of Mejelle Law, 1984 (38 L.S.I. 212); see also Tedeschi, , “Repeal of Mejelle — Background and Timing” (1972) 2 Iyunei Mishpat 458Google Scholar; Gavison, , “Abolition of the Mejelle Custom as a Source of Law” (1984) 14 Mishpatim 325Google Scholar.

11 Foundations of Law Act, 1980 (34 L.S.I. 181).

12 This disengagement was done in stages. Initially the binding connection in matters of interpretation was severed: see sec. 15(c) of the Law and Administration Ordinance, 1948 (1 L.S.I. 7) as added in Law and Administration Ordinance (Amendment No. 14) Law, 1972 (26 L.S.I. 52). See also Procaccia, , “Principles of Interpretation of Israel Law, Particularly the Law of Contracts, with Reference to English Law” (1973) 3 Iyunei Mishpat 112Google Scholar. Afterwards the “independence of law” was prescribed in five laws (Succession Law, Land Law, Contracts (Remedies for Breach of Contract) Law, Contracts (General Part) Law, Contract for Services Law). Finally, the connection was severed completely. On the provisions relating to independence, see Friedmann, , “The Provision Regarding Autarky of the Law and the Problem of Lacunae in Modern Israeli Legislation” (1973) 5 Mishpatim 91Google Scholar; Friedmann, , “On the Interpretation of Modern Israeli Legislation” (1977) 5 Iyunei Mishpat 463Google Scholar; Friedmann, , “Another Comment on the Provisions on Autarky of the Law in Modem Israeli Legislation” (1974) 5 Mishpatim 349Google Scholar.

13 On Professor Yadin's contribution to the legislative enterprise, see In Memoriam Uri Yadin (Jerusalem, 1990, in Hebrew) vol. 1Google Scholar. Professor Yadin devoted a number of articles to the project of legislative codification. See Yadin, “The Succession Law as Part of the Israeli Civil Law Legislation”; “Toward the Codification of the Civil Law in Israel”, supra n. 5.

14 See Labour Contracts Bill, 1985 (H.H. no. 1718, p. 129).

15 When I was Attorney General I asked Professor Levontin to prepare draft legislation and explanatory comments relating to choice of law. Professor Levontin prepared the draft: see Levontin, A., The Choice of Law(Ministry of Justice, Jerusalem, 1987, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

16 Its members are: Barak (Chairman), Cohen, Englard, Eran, Friedmann, Mautner, Rabello, Shalev, and Weisman. The facilitator of the Commission is Mrs. Shpanitz. Also participating in the work of the Commission are Ben-Oliel, Lerner, Lusthaus, Sanilevici, Zamir, and Zysblatt.

17 Professor R. Ben-Israel prepared a comprehensive proposal on this topic, pursuant to my request as Attorney General.

18 See Mautner, , “Standards in the New Civil Legislation” (1987) 17 Mishpatim 321Google Scholar.

19 See Mautner, , “Risk Creators and Those Exposed to Risks: The Defence Based on Another's Appearance in the New Civil Legislation” (1986) 16 Mishpatim 92Google Scholar.

20 See Procaccia, , “Israeli Legislation by Stages: Comment and Criticism” (1970) 1 Iyunei Mishpat 41Google Scholar.

21 See, especially, sec. 61 of the Contracts (General Part) Law, 1973, which forgoes all legal activities and all obligations. See also n. 38 infra.

22 See secs. 34 through 38 of the Contracts (General Part) Law; see also Shalev, G., Contract for the Benefit of a Third Party, in Commentary on Laws Relating to Contracts, Tedeschi, , ed., (Jerusalem, 1977, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

23 See sec. 7 of the Agency Law, 1965. See also Procaccia, G., The Law of Agency in Israel(Ramot Publishing Co., Tel Aviv University, 1986, in Hebrew) 269Google Scholar; Barak, A., The Agency Law, 1965, in Commentary on Laws Relating to Contracts, Tedeschi, , ed. (Jerusalem, 1975, in Hebrew) 323Google Scholar.

24 See especially, sec. 34 of the Sale Law, 1968. See also Zamir, A., The Sale Law, 1968, in Commentary on the Laws Relating to Contracts, Tedeschi, , ed. (Jerusalem, 1987, in Hebrew) 679Google Scholar.

25 See the series of Commentary on the Laws Relating to Contracts, Tedeschi, ed., infra n. 26; Friedmann, D., The Law of Unjust Enrichment (Jerusalem, 1982, in Hebrew)Google Scholar; Cohen, N., Interference with Contractual Relations(Ramot Publishing Co., Tel Aviv University, 1982, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

26 The following treatises deserve mention: Zeltner, Z., The Law of Contracts of Israel (Tel Aviv, Avuka, 1976, in Hebrew)Google Scholar; Englard, Y., The Capacity and Guardianship Law, 5722-1962(1972)Google Scholar; Ben-Porat, M., The Transfer of Obligations Law, 5729-1969(1972, supp. 1977)Google Scholar; Barak, A., The Agency Law, 5725-1965(1975)Google Scholar; Weisman, J., The Pledge Law, 5727-1967(1975)Google Scholar; Yadin, U., The Insurance Contract Law, 5741-1981(1984)Google Scholar; Yadin, U., The Contracts (Remedies for Breach of Contract) Law, 5731-1970(2nded., 1979)Google Scholar; Kerem, S., The Prescription Law, 5739-1979(1987)Google Scholar; Zeltner, Z., The Sale Law, 5728-1968(1972)Google Scholar; Zamir, A., The Sale Law, 5728-1968(1987)Google Scholar; Rabello, A., The Gift Law, 5728-1968(1979)Google Scholar; Shalev, G., Formation of Contract: The Contracts (General Part) Law, 5733-1973(1978)Google Scholar; Shalev, G., Defects in the Formation of Contract(1981)Google Scholar; Shalev, G., Contract for the Benefit of a Third Party(1977)Google Scholar; Shalev, G., Contents of Contract(1989)Google Scholar, all appearing in Commentary on the Laws Relating to Contracts, Tedeschi, , ed., (Jerusalem, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

27 See Tedeschi, , “On the Gift Law, 5728-1968” (1968) 1 Mishpatim 639Google Scholar, at 644: “Brevity of the statute is insufficiency of the statute”.

28 See Weisman, , “Shortcomings in the Law of Trust” (1980) 7 Iyunei Mishpat 282Google Scholar.

29 See Englard, and Bas, , “The Legal Acts of Persons of Unsound Mind Performed Before Their Being Declared Incompetent — Legislative Proposals” (1979) 9 Mishpatim 335Google Scholar.

30 See Cohen, supra n. 25, at 42.

31 Friedmann, , “Rights of the Owner Against a Third Party in Modern Israeli Legislation” (1975) 4 Iyunei Mishpat 245Google Scholar.

32 Friedmann, , “The Doctrine of Consideration in the New Israeli Legislation” (1973) 3 Iyunei Mishpat 153Google Scholar; Friedmann, , “The Doctrine of Consideration in Modern Israeli Legislation” in Collection of Lectures Delivered at the Seminar for Judges, 1975: The New Civil Legislation, Shetreet, S., ed. (Jerusalem, The Hebrew University, 1976, in Hebrew) 38Google Scholar.

33 See Z. Zeltner, The Law of Contracts of Israel, supra n. 26, a t 12. See also Barak, , “Interpretation and Judging: Elements of An Israeli Theory of Statutory Interpretation” (1984) 10 Iyunei Mishpat 467Google Scholar.

34 See Tedeschi, G., Studies in Israel Law (Jerusalem, 1960)Google Scholar; Tedeschi, G., Studies in Israel Private Law (Jerusalem, 1966)Google Scholar; Tedeschi, G., Legal Essays (Jerusalem, 1978, in Hebrew)Google Scholar. Aside from these books there are dozens of articles in all areas of civil law, as well as outside of them. See especially Some Aspects of the Concept of Contract” (1966) 1 Is.L.R. 223Google Scholar; On the Concept of Tort” (1968) 3 Is.L.R. 161CrossRefGoogle Scholar; Contract (General Part) Bill, 1970” (1971) 3 Mishpatim 105Google Scholar; Prevention of Performance by Promisee” (1975) 10 Is.L.R. 153Google Scholar; Debts and Liabilities of a Deceased's Estate” (1976) 5 Iyunei Mishpat 14Google Scholar; Ownership and Co-Ownership in Condominium” (1976) 30 HaPraklit 214Google Scholar; Servitudes in Gross” (1977) 7 Mishpatim 456Google Scholar; On the Date for Assessing Damage” (1978) 13 Is.L.R. 10Google Scholar; The Statutory Bailee” (1978) 8 Mishpatim 430Google Scholar; Antiquities in Property Law” (1979) 9 Mishpatim 363Google Scholar; Performance by a Third Party and Restitution” (1980) 10 Mishpatim 17Google Scholar; Joint Wills” (1979) 6 Iyunei Mishpat 662Google Scholar; Advertising and Contract” (1981) 16 Is.L.R. 405Google Scholar; Aspects of Unjust Enrichment” (1981) 11 Mishpatim 385Google Scholar; Trade Secrets” (1983) 35 HaPraklit 5Google Scholar; On the Efficacy of a Conditional Contract” (1983) 18 Is.L.R. 7Google Scholar; Mandatum Post Mortem” (1984) 10 Iyunei Mishpat 257Google Scholar; On the Nature of Obligation Performance” (1985) 15 Mishpatim 21Google Scholar; Residence in Apartment Hotels and Parents' Homes” (1986) 11 Iyunei Mishpat 181Google Scholar; Burden and Frustration” (1987) 16 Mishpatim 335Google Scholar; Concurrent Conditions” (1987) 37 HaPraklit 293Google Scholar.

35 See especially Z. Zeltner, The Law of Contracts; Z. Zeltner, The Law of Contracts of Israel, supra n. 26; Inventions in Law” (1963) 19 HaPraklit 122Google Scholar; Article 46 of the Palestine Order-in-Council as a Provision of Interstrata-Law” (1960) 16 HaPraklit 300Google Scholar; The Development of the Laws of Contract in Israel during a Quarter of a Century — Since the Establishment of the State” (1973) 29 HaPraklit 56Google Scholar; “Guiding Principles in the Contracts (General Part) Law, 1973”, in Collection of Lectures Delivered at the Seminar for Judges 1975, supra n. 32, at 69.

36 See D. Friedmann, The Law of Unjust Enrichment, supra n. 25; among his major articles the following should be mentioned: Remedies for Breach of Contract” (1973) 3 Iyunei Mishpat 134Google Scholar; The Doctrine of Consideration in the New Israeli Legislation” (1973) 3 Iyunei Mishpat 153Google Scholar; Friedmann, D.and Maoz, A., “The Right of a Defaulting Party to Restitution When a Contract Has Not Been Rescinded” (1974) 9 Is.L.R. 352Google Scholar; Rights of the Owner Against a Third Party in Modern Israeli Legislation” (1975) 4 Iyunei Mishpat 245Google Scholar; Consequences of Illegality in Israeli Law in Light of Sections 30-31 of the Contracts (General Part) Law” (1977) 5 Iyunei Mishpat 618(part I)Google Scholar, (1978) 6 Iyunei Mishpat 172(part II)Google Scholar; Section 8 of the Land Law: The Need for a Change” (1980) 33 HaPraklit 4Google Scholar; Revaluation, Damages and Unjust Enrichment” (1981) 34 HaPraklit 88Google Scholar; Conditional Contract under Section 27 of the Contracts Law” (1982) 8 Iyunei Mishpat 578Google Scholar; The Duty to Perform Where There is Insecurity Regarding the Other Party's Performance” (1984) 10 Iyunei Mishpat 165Google Scholar; “Issues in the Law of Multiple Debtors” in The Lovenberg Book in Memory of Judge H.S. Lovenberg (Tel Aviv, Bursi, 1985, in Hebrew) 51Google Scholar; (with N. Cohen); Mistake, Misrepresentation and Assumption of the Risk in the Formation of a Contract” (1989) 14 Iyunei Mishpat 459Google Scholar.

37 The list of these essays is extensive. Among the more important ones are: Yadin, , “The New Statute Law of Contracts” (1974) 9 Is.L.R. 512Google Scholar; Even, , “The Concept of ‘Right’ in the Contracts (Remedies for Breach of Contract) Law, 5731-1970” (1978) 6 Iyunei Mishpat 121Google Scholar; Raday, Frances, “Torts Liability for Strike Action and Third Party Rights” (1979) 14 Is.L.R. 31Google Scholar; Deutsch, , “Economic Duress in Contract Law” (1982) 2 Mehkarei Mishpat 1Google Scholar; Deutsch, , “Mental Consensus (Gmirat Da'at) and Intention to Create Legal Relations in Jewish, English and Israeli Contract Law” (19791980) 6–7 Shenaton HaMishpat HaIvri 71Google Scholar; Deutsch, , “Rescission and Its Effects on Restitution” (1984) 19 Is.L.R. 388Google Scholar; Weisman, , “Fundamental Concepts in Property Law: A Critical Survey” (1981) 11 Mishpatim 41Google Scholar; Weisman, , “Property Rights in Parts of the Human Body” (1987) 16 Mishpatim 500Google Scholar; Cohen, Nili, “Interference with Performance of a Fiduciary Obligation” (1982) 17 Is.L.R. 12CrossRefGoogle Scholar; Cohen, , “Contract Rules and Good Faith in Bargaining: Formalism v. Principles of Justice” (1986) 37 HaPraklit 13Google Scholar; Cohen, , “General Contract Law and Guarantee Law” (1979) 7 Iyunei Mishpat 225Google Scholar; Cohen, , “Rescission of Contract and its Impact on Transaction in Unregistered Land” (1983) 35 HaPraklit 215Google Scholar; Cohen, , “Requirement of Form in Contracts” (1989) 38 HaPraklit 383Google Scholar; Lerner, , “The Essence of Conditional Sale” (1983) 13 Mishpatim 305Google Scholar; Lerner, , “Set-off Against Assignee” (1985) 15 Mishpatim 81Google Scholar; Lerner, , “Transfer of Title in Sale of Goods” (1986) 5 Mehkarei Mishpat 77Google Scholar; Mazoz, , “Circumstances Under Which Restitution is Unjust — Section 2 of the Unjust Enrichment Law, 5739–1979” (1980) 10 Mishpatim 487Google Scholar; G. Procaccia, “Israeli Legislation in Stages: Comment and Criticism”, supra n. 20; Reichmann, , “Toward a Definition of Easements” (1971) 1 Iyunei Mishpat 345Google Scholar; Reichmann, , “The Influence of Servitudes on Rights of Adjoining Landowners” (1974) 4 Iyunei Mishpat 121, at 368Google Scholar; Reichmann, , “Cautions — Nature, Recordation and Protection Against Conflicting Transactions” (1984) 10 Iyunei Mishpat 297Google Scholar; Shalev, , “Third Party Beneficiary: A Comparative Analysis” (1976) 11 Is.L.R. 315Google Scholar; Shalev, , “Exemption Clauses and Third Parties in English and Israeli Law” (1978) 13 Is.L.R. 474Google Scholar; Shalev, , “Administrative Contracts” (1979) 14 Is.L.R. 444Google Scholar; Shalev, , “Unenforceable Contracts and Unjusticiable Contracts” (1986) 21 Is.L.R. 425Google Scholar; Shalev, , “Promise, Estoppel and Good Faith” (1987) 16 Mishpatim 295Google Scholar; Shalev, , “Does the Doctrine of Fundamental Breach Apply in Israeli Law?” (1978) 8 Mishpatim 466Google Scholar; Shalev, , “Attached Contract” (1969) 2 Mishpatim 577Google Scholar; Shalev, , “Justice and the Law of Contracts” (1976) 6 Mishpatim 544Google Scholar; Shelach, , “Termination of Co-ownership in Land” (1987) 17 Mishpatim 3Google Scholar; Zamir, Eyal, “The Failure of the Remedy of Reduction in Israeli Law — Causes and Lessons” (1989) 23 Is.L.R. 469Google Scholar.

38 On the general contribution of the judiciary to the legislative enterprise, see Agranat, , “The Contribution of the Judiciary to the Legislative Endeavour” (1984) 10 Iyunei Mishpat 233Google Scholar.

39 See sec. 31 of the Contracts (General Part) Law, 1973. See also Friedmann, “Consequences of Illegality in Israeli Law in Light of Sections 30-31 of the Contracts (General Part) Law”, supra n. 36; Ben-Porat, , “The Void Contract” in The Sussman Book, in Memory of Justice Yoel Sussman (Jerusalem, 1984, in Hebrew) 171Google Scholar.

40 See, e.g., sec. 9 of the Contracts (Remedies for Breach of Contract) Law, 1970; sec. 21 of the Contracts (General Part) Law, 1973. See D. Friedmann, supra n. 25.

41 See e.g., secs. 12 and 39 of the Contracts (General Part) Law, 1973. On the doctrine of good faith, see Procaccia, G., “Outlines of the Theory of Good Faith” (1988) 13 Iyunei Mishpat 41Google Scholar. On sec. 12 of the Contracts Law, see Rabello, , “Section 12 of the Contracts (General Part) Law, 1973: Culpa in Contrahendo” in Collection of Lectures Delivere at the Seminar for Judges 1975Google Scholar; supra n. 32 at 57; Rabello, A., The Law of Obligation — Selected Topics: From Roman Law to the New Law of Contracts(The Harry Sacher Institute for Legislative Research and Comparative Law, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1977, in Hebrew) 182Google Scholar; Even, , “Culpa in Contrahendo” (1971) 1 Iyunei Mishpat 328Google Scholar; Pilpel, , “Good Faith in Negotiations Toward the Formation of a Contract” (1977) 5 Iyunei Mishpat 608Google Scholar; Shalev, , “Good Faith in Negotiations” (1976) 7 Mishpatim 118Google Scholar; Deutsch, , “Section 12 of the Contracts Law: Is ita Remedy for Every Problem?” (1985) 4 Mehkarei Mishpat 39Google Scholar; Pilpel, , “Absence of Good Faith Negotiation: Remedies” (1986) 11 Iyunei Mishpat 307Google Scholar; Cohen, “Contracts Rules and Good Faith in Bargaining: Formalism v. Principles of Justice”, supra n. 37;. On sec. 39 of the Contracts Law, see Yadin, “The Principle of Good Faith in the New Legislation” in Collection of Lectures Delivered at the Seminar for Judges 1977, supra n. 32, at 50; Hofer, , “The Doctrine of Good Faith and Culpa in Contrahendo in the Law of Contracts” (1975) 6 Mishpatim 397Google Scholar; Sussman, , “The Concept of Good Faith in the Law of Contracts in Israel — The Role of German Law” (1979) 6 Iyunei Mishpat 485Google Scholar; Friedmann, , “Standard Contracts, Public Policy and the Requirements of Good Faith” (1980) 7 Iyunei Mishpat 431Google Scholar; Pilpel, , “Section 39 of the Contracts (General Part) Law, 5733-1973 and the Connection to German Law” (1984) 36 HaPraklit 53Google Scholar; Pilpel, , “Good Faith and the Law of Torts” (1989) 38 HaPraklit 454Google Scholar.

42 See, e.g., sec. 31 of the Contracts (General Part) Law, 1973; sec. 132(a) of the Tenants' Protection Law (Consolidated Version), 1972 (26 L.S.I. 204).

43 See, e.g., secs. 7,8(a), 20, 21, 41, 51, and 65 of the Contracts (General Part) Law, 1973.

44 See Mautner, supra n. 18.

45 See Barak, supra n. 33, at 468.

46 See Zeltner, supra n. 33.

47 See, e.g., Estate of Finkelstein v. Finkelstein (1968) 22(i) P.D. 618, at 619.

48 The case law is voluminous. For an analysis and critique of the case law, see Gross, , “The Inflation Shock: Linkage of Liabilities in Israel” (1980) 33 HaPraklit 53Google Scholar; Procaccia, U., “Developments in the Israeli Law of Monetary Revaluations” (1980) 10 Mishpatim 262Google Scholar; Horak, , “Revaluation of Price in Contract” (1981) 8 Iyunei Mishpat 88Google Scholar.

49 See, e.g., Adras Building Materials Ltd. v. Harlow and Jones (1988) 42(i) P.D. 221.

50 See Levi v. Nachol (1975) 29(ii) P.D. 309; Nachol v. Levi (1976) 30(iii) P.D. 113.

51 Sec Yadin, A., The Contracts (Remedies for Breach of Contract) Law, 5731-1970in Commentary on Laws Relating to Contracts, Tedeschi, , ed. (Jerusalem, 2nded., 1979, in Hebrew)Google Scholar; Katzir, D., Damages for Personal Injuries(Tamar Publishing, Haifa, 2nded., 1986, in Hebrew)Google Scholar; Barak, , “Damages for Personal Injury: The Law and Its Reform” (1983) 9 Iyunei Mishpat 243Google Scholar.

52 For an analysis and evaluation of the doctrine, see Rosen-Zvi, A., The Law of Matrimonial Property (Jerusalem, Microsheer, 1982, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

53 See n. 41 supra.

54 See Barak, “Judicial Rules and Social Reality: the Connection with Fundamental Principles” in The Sussman Book, supra n. 39, at 71.

55 See Compilation of Civil Law Bill, 5740-1980, H.H. no. 1448 p. 184. According to this proposal the Minister of Justice will be empowered to bring before the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee of the Knesset a draft proposal of a law that will group together the laws listed in the schedule into one law. The manner of legislation for the compilation will be similar, but not identical to the customary manner, according to sec. 16 of the Law and Administration Ordinance, 1948, concerning “New Version” and “Consolidated Version”.

56 See Barak, supra n. 5.

57 See Hendeles v. Kupat-Am Bank (1981) 35(ii) P.D. 785.

58 On mixed jurisdictions, see Smith, , “The Preservation of the Civilian Tradition in Mixed Jurisdictions”, in Civil Law in the Modern World, Yiannopoulos, A.N.ed., (Louisiana State U. P., 1965) 3Google Scholar.

59 See Barak, supra n. 4, at 241.

60 Id.at 265.

61 For a history of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance, see Tedeschi, and Rosenthal, , Civil Wrongs Ordinance in the Light of the History of its Preparation and Amendments (Jerusalem, 1963, in Hebrew)Google Scholar. For an evaluation of the Ordinance on the completion of twenty-five years since its enactment, see Englard, , “Twenty-Five Years of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance: Trends and Problems” (1975) 5 Mishpatim 564Google Scholar.

62 On the term “general tort”, coined by Dr. M. Cheshin, see Barak, , Cheshin, and Englard, , The Law of Civil Wrongs: The General Part, Tedeschi, G.ed., (Jerusalem, 2nded., 1976, in Hebrew) 85Google Scholar.

63 Sec. 63 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version) (2 L.S.I. [N.V.] 5). For an analysis of the tort, see Bar-Shira, A., Breach of Statutory Duty in The Law of Civil Wrongs: The Particular Torts, Tedeschi, G., ed. (Jerusalem, 2nded. by D. Levinson-Zamir, 1989, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

64 Secs. 35 and 36 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version). For an analysis of the tort, see Gilead, , “On the Elements of Negligence in Israel Law of Torts” (1989) 14 Iyunei Mishpat 319Google Scholar.

65 Sec. 44 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version). For commentary see Kretzmer, D., Nuisances in The Law of Civil Wrongs: The Particular Torts, Tedeschi, G.ed., (Jerusalem, 1980, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

66 Sec. 42 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version). For commentary, see Kretzmer, ibid.

67 Sec. 64 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version). For an analysis of the section see Barak, Cheshin and Englard, supra n. 62, at 178. See also Gilead, , “Rethinking Causation in Israeli Tort Law” (1984) 14 Mishpatim 15Google Scholar; Englard, , “On the Scope of Liability and the Causal Nexus in Torts” in Studies in Law in Memory of Abraham Rosenthal (Jerusalem, 1964, in Hebrew) 55Google Scholar; Kling, , “The Meaning of Section 60 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance” (1964) 20 HaPraklit 241Google Scholar.

68 Sec. 13(A)(2) of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version). See also Barak, , Vicarious Liability in the Law of Torts (Jerusalem, Kiryat Sepher, 1964, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

69 Trivial act (sec. 4); voluntary exposure to risk (sec. 5); act under enactment (sec. 6); public servant (sec. 7); judicial authority (sec. 8); minor (sec. 9).

70 See the sources cited in n. 51 supra.

71 Secs. 76-83 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version).

72 Secs. 72-74 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version).

73 See Englard, , “The Role of Courts in the Recent Developments of Tort Law — Self Image and Reality” (1986) 11 Iyunei Mishpat 67Google Scholar.

74 See Barak, , “Liability in Tort of an Occupier of Land” in Studies in Law in Memory of Abraham Rosenthal (Jerusalem, 1964, in Hebrew) 104Google Scholar; Barak, , “Occupiers Liability Draft” (1970) 2 Mishpatim 129Google Scholar.

75 Sec. 37 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version), in its construction before being amended.

76 Sec. 37 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version), as amended in the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (Amendment No. 4) Law, 1970 (24 L.S.I. 127).

77 See Grubner v. City of Haifa (1976) 30(i) P.D. 141; Municipality of Hadera v. Zohar (1983) 37(iii) P.D. 757; Buskileh v. State of Israel (1984) 38(iii) P.D. 337; Municipality of Jerusalem v. Gordon (1985) 39(i) P.D. 113; State of Israel v. Sihan (1988) 42(iii) P.D. 733. An important article in this area, which had considerable influence on the case law, is Rubinstein, and Friedmann, , “The Liability in Tort of Public Officers” (1965) 21 HaPraklit 61Google Scholar. See also Dothan, , “Tort Liability of Public Officials Exercising Discretionary Powers” (1985) 15 Mishpatim 245Google Scholar.

78 See Zeitsov v. Katz (1986) 40(ii) P.D. 85. The topic as a whole was discussed by Professor Tedeschi: see Tedeschi, G., “On Tort Liability for ‘Wrongful Life’” (1966) 1 Is.L.R. 513Google Scholar. This article was influential in many countries in which a similar problem arose. See also Heyd, D., “Are ‘Wrongful Life’ Claims Philosophically Valid?” (1986) 21 Is.L.R. 574Google Scholar.

79 Ashdod Motor Works Ltd. v. Tzizik (1987) 41(iii) P.D. 169. For criticism of this rule, see Ben-Israel, , “Tort Liability for Strikes Action” (1989) 14 Iyunei Mishpat 149Google Scholar.

80 (1954) 8 P.D. 1317.

81 Hedley Byrne Co. Ltd. v. Heller [1964] A.C. 465.

82 Sec. 63 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version).

83 See Bar-Shira, supra n. 63, at 11.

84 See Sereg Adin v. Mayor of TelAviv-Yafo (1957) 11 P.D. 1110; Shehadeh v. Hilu (1966) 20(iv) P.D. 617.

85 See Vaknin v. Local Council of Bet Shemesh (1983) 37(i) P.D. 113; Sultan v. Sultan (1984) 38(iii) P.D. 169; Carmeli v. State of Israel (1987) 41(iii) P.D. 757.

86 An important tort is that of nuisance to an individual, which could well serve as a means of settling problems of environmental pollution. See Kretzmer, supra n. 65, at 9. An important judgment on this issue is Ata Textile Company Ltd. v. Schwartz (1976) 30(iii) P.D. 785.

87 See Katzir, supra n. 51.

88 Secs. 71 and 76 of the Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version).

89 See Barak, supra n. 51.

90 The historical roots of the Ordinance contributed to this, as did the provisions regarding its interpretation in light of English law and the general English influence on Israel law. See Barak, Cheshin and Englard, supra n. 62, at 112.

91 On the connection between Israel law and English law, see Friedmann, D., The Effect of Foreign Law on the Law of Israel(Israel Law Review Assoc., Jerusalem, 1975)Google Scholar.

92 See Barak, Cheshin and Englard, supra n. 62, at 26.

93 See Municipality of Jerusalem v. Gordon, supra n. 77.

94 Cf. Kupat-Am Bank v. Hendeles (1980) 34(iii) P.D. 57.

95 Pound, R., Interpretation of Legal History (New York, McMillan, 1923)Google Scholar.

96 Sec. 2(a) of the Road Accident Victims Compensation Law, 1975 (29 L.S.I. 311); For an examination of the law and its aims, see Englard, I., Road Accident Victim Compensation (Jerusalem, Yahalom, 2nded., 1990, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

97 Sec. 2(a) of the Defective Products (Liability) Law, 1980 (34 L.S.I. 92); see also More, Products Liability” (1976) 5 Iyunei Mishpat303 and 581Google Scholar; More, Product Liability — Some Policy Considerations” (1978) 6 Iyunei Mishpat 78Google Scholar.

98 See n. 76 supra.

99 See Litigation between Spouses (Regulation) Law, 1969 (23 L.S.I. 165).

100 See the Civil Wrongs (Liability of the State) Law, 1952, supra n. 9.

101 See Tedeschi, , “Recovery of Compensation for Personal Injuries” (1964) 21 HaPraklit 237Google Scholar; Tedeschi, , “Recovery of Compensation for Personal Injuries Caused by the Victim's Negligence” (1964) 21 HaPraklit 371Google Scholar.

102 35 L.S.I. 298.

103 35 L.S.I. 136.

104 See e.g., sec. 7 of the Defamation Law, 1965 (19 L.S.I. 254); sec. 38 of the Telecommunications Law, 1982 (36 L.S.I. 229); sec. 45 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Law, 1959 (13 L.S.I. 159); sec. 4 of the Protection of Privacy Law, 1981, supra n. 103; sec. 31 of the Consumer Protection Law, 1981, supra n. 102; sec. 13 of the Abatement of Nuisances Law, 1961 (15 L.S.I. 52); sec. 34 of the Securities Law, 1968 (22 L.S.I. 266); sec. 108 of the Insurance Business (Control) Law, 1981 (35 L.S.I. 243); sec. 15 of the Banking (Service to Customer) Law, 1981 (35 L.S.I. 312).

105 See nn. 77-79 supra.

106 See Sidaar Tanker Corporation v. Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Co. (1985) 39(i) P.D. 393.

107 See Municipality of Jerusalem v. Gordon, supra n. 77.

108 On the role of the Supreme Court in a democratic society, see Barak, supra n. 4, at 310.

109 The Court was even criticized for this: see Englard, supra n. 73.

110 The Accident Compensation Act, 1972. This law provides compensation by means of a statutory institution, for every accident that causes bodily injury (except heart attacks unconnected to physical effort, and injury caused completely by sickness or aging).

111 See Maltz, , “The Road Accident Victims Compensation Law: the First Decade” in The Kahan Book, in Memory of Justice I. Kahan(Papyrus, Tel Aviv University, 1989, in Hebrew) 348Google Scholar. The Minister of Justice appointed a public commission, headed by Justice Berinson, to examine the matter.

112 On the proposal and the ideas underlying it, as well as the need for extensive reform in the law of torts, see Tedeschi, , Legal Essays (Jerusalem, 1978, in Hebrew) 315Google Scholar.

113 Along with the reform in the law of torts, there should be a reform in the law of damages. Over the forty years that the Ordinance has been in force, wide judicial experience has accumulated regarding this remedy. The current law should be consolidated in statutory provisions that change those matters in which the case law has reached solutions that properly deviate from them. Judge D. Katzir has prepared an extensive proposal on this issue. The proposal was considered by the public commission. Its work is nearing completion. Hopefully this proposal — which could be broadened to include additional remedies beyond damages — will be integrated into the general codification, in such a way that the chapter on “remedies” will apply to any breach of obligation, not just to a tortious breach of obligation.

114 See Gilmore, G., The Death of Contract(Ohio State University Press, 1974)Google Scholar.

115 See Fleming, , “Is There a Future for Torts?” (1984) 58 Aust. L.J. 131Google Scholar.

116 See Maine, H.S., Ancient Law (London, John Murray, 1920) 174Google Scholar: “…The movement of the progressive societies has hitherto been a movement from Status to Contract”.

117 See Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Compensation for Injury (Cmnd. 7054, 1978). For a critical analysis of the proposal, see Atiyah, P.S., Accidents, Compensation and the Law (London, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 4thed., 1987)Google Scholar; Allen, D.K, Bourn, C.J., Holyoak, J.H., Accident Compensation After Pearson (London, Sweet & Maxwell, 1979)Google Scholar.

118 See Procaccia, U.and Miller, A., The Rights of the Disabled in Israel: Basic Issues(Harry Sacher Institute for Legislative Research and Comparative Law, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1974, in Hebrew)Google Scholar.

119 See Linden, Allen M., Canadian Tort Law (Toronto, Butterworths, 4thed., 1988) 28Google Scholar.

120 On the role of tort law, see Barak, Cheshin and Englard, supra n. 62, at 25. See also Fleming, John G., The Law of Torts (Sydney, Law Books Co., 7thed., 1987)Google Scholar; Prosser, and Keaton, , The Law of Torts (St. Paul, West Publishing Co., 5thed., 1984) 1Google Scholar; Williams, , “The Aims of the Law of Tort” [1951] C.L.R. 137Google Scholar.

121 See Municipality of Jerusalem v. Gordon, supra n. 77.

122 In the area of public law, Kol Ha'am v. Minister of Interior (1953) 7 P.D. 871 (1 S. J. 90), constitutes the classic expression of such balancing. On this doctrine, crafted by Justice Agranat, see Barak, , “President Agranat: ‘Kol Ha'am’ — The Voice of the Nation” in Essays in Honour of Shimon Agranat (Jerusalem, 1986, in Hebrew) 129Google Scholar; Lahav, , “Freedom of Expression in the Decisions of the Supreme Court” (1977) 7 Mishpatim 375Google Scholar.

123 Remarks of Viscount Simonds in Scruttons v. Midland Silicones [1962] 1 All E.R. 1, at 7.

124 See Barak, supra n. 54.