diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py
index bb740e2803..4349579ab7 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py
@@ -14,6 +14,11 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 
+from . import (
+    filter
+)
+
+
 from synapse.http.server import JsonResource
 
 
@@ -26,4 +31,4 @@ class ClientV2AlphaRestResource(JsonResource):
 
     @staticmethod
     def register_servlets(client_resource, hs):
-        pass
+        filter.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/filter.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/filter.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a9a180ec04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/filter.py
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2015 OpenMarket Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, SynapseError
+from synapse.http.servlet import RestServlet
+from synapse.types import UserID
+
+from ._base import client_v2_pattern
+
+import json
+import logging
+
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+# TODO(paul)
+_filters_for_user = {}
+
+
+class GetFilterRestServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERN = client_v2_pattern("/user/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)/filter/(?P<filter_id>[^/]*)")
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        super(GetFilterRestServlet, self).__init__()
+        self.hs = hs
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def on_GET(self, request, user_id, filter_id):
+        target_user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
+        auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
+
+        if target_user != auth_user:
+            raise AuthError(403, "Cannot get filters for other users")
+
+        if not self.hs.is_mine(target_user):
+            raise SynapseError(400, "Can only get filters for local users")
+
+        try:
+            filter_id = int(filter_id)
+        except:
+            raise SynapseError(400, "Invalid filter_id")
+
+        filters = _filters_for_user.get(target_user.localpart, None)
+
+        if not filters or filter_id >= len(filters):
+            raise SynapseError(400, "No such filter")
+
+        defer.returnValue((200, filters[filter_id]))
+
+
+class CreateFilterRestServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERN = client_v2_pattern("/user/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)/filter")
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        super(CreateFilterRestServlet, self).__init__()
+        self.hs = hs
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def on_POST(self, request, user_id):
+        target_user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
+        auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
+
+        if target_user != auth_user:
+            raise AuthError(403, "Cannot create filters for other users")
+
+        if not self.hs.is_mine(target_user):
+            raise SynapseError(400, "Can only create filters for local users")
+
+        try:
+            content = json.loads(request.content.read())
+
+            # TODO(paul): check for required keys and invalid keys
+        except:
+            raise SynapseError(400, "Invalid filter definition")
+
+        filters = _filters_for_user.setdefault(target_user.localpart, [])
+
+        filter_id = len(filters)
+        filters.append(content)
+
+        defer.returnValue((200, {"filter_id": str(filter_id)}))
+
+
+def register_servlets(hs, http_server):
+    GetFilterRestServlet(hs).register(http_server)
+    CreateFilterRestServlet(hs).register(http_server)