Ministry of Justice Legal Aid Opens Over 154,000 Cases in 2025 Amid War Support
The Ministry of Justice Legal Aid report for 2025 reveals 154,552 cases opened, including thousands for Iron Swords war victims, vulnerable groups, and financial protection.
During 2025, the Legal Aid administration at the Ministry of Justice opened 154,552 cases, according to its annual activity report released on Wednesday. The highest number of cases was recorded in civil matters and debts (61,517), family and personal status (54,786), and National Insurance (10,142). Since October 7 and to date, over 3,600 cases have been opened by Legal Aid for bereaved families, families of hostages and returnees, and families whose loved ones fell during their military service.
Iron Swords Cases and Protection for Vulnerable Groups
Throughout the past year, the unique activity of the "Iron Swords Case Array" continued. Established immediately after October 7 and the outbreak of the war, this array provides legal assistance and rights-realization support to families whose loved ones were murdered, kidnapped, and returned, or fell during the conflict. Among other things, assistance is provided in personal status matters, realizing allowances vis-à-s National Insurance or the Ministry of Defense, dealing with financial issues involving banks, housing matters, arranging insurance rights, guardianship, minors, and additional areas.
Legal Aid provides representation to individuals from sensitive and special groups in society through a network of lawyers specializing in relevant legal fields, accompanied by the professional guidance of Legal Aid employees nationwide.
Landmark Rulings and Legal Aid Achievements
Examples of legal assistance from the past year, provided as part of representing victims of the Iron Swords War, include a court decision accepting a Legal Aid request to recognize a woman as the legal daughter of a Be'eri resident murdered on October 7, despite him not formally adopting her. In a claim filed by Legal Aid on behalf of the daughter, it was noted that the father raised her since she was two years old, although she was not his biological daughter and he never formally adopted her.
The court also recognized the deceased's will bequeathing his assets to her, even though he never deposited the will and it remained in his home unofficially, with the draft he wrote being lost when the house he lived in was burned by Hamas terrorists.
Dozens of claims for recognition as remote hostile action victims: Legal Aid represents dozens of bereaved and hostage families in claims filed against the authorizing authority at the Ministry of Defense to recognize them as victims of hostile actions remotely. These are family members who were exposed to all hostile incidents concerning their loved ones, including murder, kidnapping, or harm via digital means.
Labor Rights and Financial Protection
Protection of IDF disabled veterans and hostile action victims from excessive legal fees: An amendment to the Legal Aid Law approved several months ago limits the amount of legal fees a lawyer may charge for representing an IDF disabled veteran or hostile action victim in recognition proceedings and medical boards to determine disability percentages.
Protection from dismissal for bereaved family members: An amendment to the Legal Aid Law grants legal representation without a means test to an employee who is a bereaved family member (including adult siblings) whose employer dismissed them or requested a permit to dismiss them during the first year of mourning. The need for this amendment arose from the representation of bereaved families who voiced their distress on the matter, with Legal Aid involved in highlighting the need and throughout the legislative stages.
As Legal Aid Director, Attorney Nochi Politis, noted: "The State of Israel is still bravely fighting for its peace and security at this time, while concurrently working to rehabilitate and support the victims of the war. Legal Aid will continue, in the coming years as well, to stand by its clients, in routine and emergency, and to work tirelessly to realize their rights."
