4.  The applicant was born in 1960 and lives in Veliko Tarnovo. 5.  The applicant worked as the medical director of a psychiatric hospital. In 1996 she was laid off. On 17 February 1997 she brought an action for unfair dismissal against the Ministry of Health. 6.  On 7 July 1999 the Sofia District Court found that the applicant's dismissal had been unlawful and restored her to her position. The Ministry of Health filed an appeal. 7.  The Sofia City Court, which examined the appeal, held hearings on 18 February, 10 March and 2 June 2000, with the next hearing being scheduled for 8 November 2000. On 13 June 2000 the applicant filed a complaint about delays (see paragraph 15 below). On 23 June 2000 the President of the Sofia Court of Appeal found that the complaint was well-founded and instructed the lower court to schedule the hearing earlier. 8.  The Sofia City Court held a hearing on 20 July 2000. On 15 September 2000 it gave a judgment, finding that the applicant's action against the Ministry of Health was inadmissible. 9.  On an appeal by the applicant, on 30 May 2002 the Supreme Court of Cassation quashed the Sofia City Court's judgment and remitted the case. The Sofia City Court gave a new judgment on 9 August 2004, upholding the Sofia District Court's judgment of 7 July 1999. 10.  On 23 December 2004 the Ministry of Health filed an appeal on points of law. 11.  On 20 June 2006, 4 July 2007 and 1 February 2008 the applicant filed requests with the Supreme Court of Cassation that the case be examined more expeditiously. 12.  The Supreme Court of Cassation held a hearing on 15 February 2008. In a judgment of 4 March 2008 it quashed the Sofia City Court's judgment of 9 August 2004 and remitted the case for new consideration. 13.  The Sofia City Court examined the case once again and in a judgment of 12 January 2009 upheld the Sofia District Court's judgment of 7 July 1999, finding the applicant's dismissal to be unlawful and reinstating her to her position. 14.  On 20 February 2009 the Ministry of Health lodged a new appeal on points of law. On 19 August 2009 the Supreme Court of Cassation declared it admissible. A hearing on the merits is scheduled for 17 November 2010.