4.  The applicant was born in 1950 and lives in Konin, Poland. 5.  On 5 October 1990 the applicant’s former wife instituted before the Konin District Court (Sąd Rejonowy) civil proceedings in which she requested division of their matrimonial property. The applicant was a party to these proceedings. 6.  Until 19 January 1993 the court held several hearings and ordered the preparation of expert opinions. 7.  On 7 September 1993 the court held a hearing. Five further hearings were held prior to 7 December 1993. 8.  On 13 September 1994 the next hearing was held. In 1994 the District Court held in total four hearings. 9.  Between 7 January 1995 and 21 December 1995 no hearings were held. In 1996 the court held hearings in February, September and December. 10.  Subsequently the District Court held hearings at regular intervals. It held three hearings in 1997 and six in 1998. 11.  Between 4 March and 9 December 1999 no hearings were held. 12.  In 2000 the court held four hearings. On 24 March 2000 the Konin District Court gave a decision in which it divided the property in question. 13.  Both parties appealed against that decision. 14.  On 17 November 2000 the Konin Regional Court (Sąd Okręgowy) held a hearing. 15.  On 1 December 2000 the Konin Regional Court dismissed the appeals. The reasoned decision was notified to the applicant on 6 February 2001. The decision was final as the domestic law did not provide for a possibility to lodge a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court.