5.  The applicant was born in 1950 and lives in Žalec. 6.  In 1987 the applicant was injured in a dispute with his former wife R.I. in which both sustained injuries. 7.  On 9 February 1988 the applicant instituted civil proceedings against R. I. in the Celje Basic Court, Žalec Unit (Temljeno sodišče v Celju, enota v Žalcu) seeking damages for the injuries sustained. R. I. lodged a counter-claim.
Until 28 June 1994, when the Convention entered into force with respect to Slovenia, the court held three hearings and appointed three medical experts.
At the hearing held on 4 November 1994, the court decided to deliver a written judgment. The judgment, upholding both claims in part, was served on the applicant on 10 January 1995. 8. On 26 January 1995 the applicant appealed to the Celje Higher Court (Višje sodišče v Celju). R. I. cross-appealed.
On 4 April 1996 the court allowed both appeals and remitted the case to the first-instance court for re-examination
The decision was served on the applicant on 9 May 1996. 9. On 3 June 1996, further to the reform of the judicial system, the (renamed) Žalec Local Court declared lack of jurisdiction and reassigned the case to the (renamed) Celje District Court (Okrožno sodišče v Celju).
In the re-examination proceedings, the applicant made three requests that a date be set for a hearing between 6 January and 9 November 1998.
At the hearing held 18 January 1999, the court decided to deliver a written judgment. The judgment, upholding both claims in part, was served on the applicant on 20 April 1999. 10. On 30 April 1999 the applicant appealed to the Celje Higher Court. R. I. cross-appealed.
On 11 November 1999 the court allowed both appeals by amending the first-instance decision in part and remitting the case for re-examination in part.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 16 December 1999. 11. On 14 January 2000 R. I. lodged an appeal on points of law with the Supreme Court (Vrhovno sodišče) regarding the part of the judgment amending the first-instance court’s judgment in favour of the applicant.
On 18 October 2001 the court allowed R. I.’s appeal in part and accordingly changed the Higher Court’s judgment.
The Supreme Court’s judgment was served on the applicant on 13 December 2001. 12. On 14 January 2002 the applicant filed pleadings regarding the remaining part of the case that was remitted to the first instance court.
On 19 March 2002 the parties reached a court settlement. 13. On 12 June 2002 the first-instance court ordered the applicant to pay court fees for the proceedings.
On 28 June 2002 the applicant lodged an appeal, which was rejected by the Celje Higher Court on 11 December 2002.
That decision was served on the applicant on 16 January 2003.