7.  The applicant was born in 1975 and lives in Łódź. 8.  On 16 October 2007 the applicant was convicted by Sieradz District Court of extortion and sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment. On an unspecified date the applicant appealed against the first-instance judgment. 9.  On 23 January 2008 the Sieradz Regional Court dismissed the appeal. The judgment was sent to the applicant on 12 February 2008. On an unspecified date it was served on the applicant. 10.  The applicant requested the District Court to appoint a legal-aid lawyer with a view to filing a cassation appeal. On 12 March 2008 his legal‑aid application was received by the Sieradz Regional Court. 11.  On 18 March 2008 the Sieradz Regional Court refused to examine the applicant’s request for the appointment of a legal-aid lawyer. The court stated that the time-limit for lodging a cassation appeal had expired on 14 March 2008. The court also informed the applicant that the refusal was final and could not be appealed against.