5.  The applicants were born in 1968, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994 and 1932 respectively and live in Celje, except the last applicant who lives in Šentvid pri Planini. 6.  The applicants are the wife, the children and the mother of J.S. who died in an accident at work on 22 July 1997. The applicant’s employer had taken out insurance with the insurance company ZT. 7.  On 7 July 1998 the applicants instituted civil proceedings against ZT in the Celje District Court (Okrožno sodišče v Celju) seeking damages in the amount of 13,093,982 tolars (approximately 54,550 euros).
Between 17 July 1998 and 17 October 2002 the applicants lodged ten preliminary written submissions and/or adduced evidence.
Between 4 March 1999 and 3 October 2001 they made four requests that a date be set for a hearing.
Of the six hearings held between 5 June 2001 and 12 November 2002 none was adjourned at the request of the applicant.
During the proceedings the court appointed an expert in electrical engineering. The court also sought an additional opinion from the appointed expert.
At the last hearing the court decided to deliver a written judgment. The judgment, upholding the applicant’s claim in part, was served on the applicant on 21 January 2003. 8.  On 22 January 2003 the applicant appealed to the Celje Higher Court (Višje sodišče v Celju). The applicants also requested the first-instance court to issue a supplement judgment because it had not yet rendered a ruling on all counts of the applicants’ claim. ZT cross-appealed.
On 3 September 2004 the first-instance court issued a supplementary judgment. The judgment was served on the applicants on 15 September 2004. 9.  On 17 September 2004 the applicants appealed to the Celje Higher Court. ZT cross-appealed.
On 16 March 2006 the court allowed all the appeals in part.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 13 April 2006.