4.  The applicant was born in 1952 and lives in Budapest. 5.  On 6 November 1995 the applicant, a stoker, brought an action against his employer seeking the invalidation of the termination of his employment. 6.  The Labour Court held hearings on 17 January, 17 April and 19 June 1996. On the latter occasion, it dismissed the applicant’s action. 7.  On appeal, on 26 March 1997 the Budapest Regional Court quashed the first-instance decision and discontinued the proceedings, holding that the applicant’s action was time-barred. 8.  In review proceedings, on 10 December 1997 the Supreme Court quashed the Regional Court’s decision and remitted the case to the first-instance court. 9.  In the resumed proceedings, the Labour Court held hearings on 5 May, 30 June and 24 November 1998. On 26 May 1998 the court appointed a graphology expert who submitted his opinion on 24 September 1998. On the applicant’s request, a further expert was appointed who submitted his opinion on 15 February 1999. The Labour Court held hearings on 2 September and 4 November 1999, 20 January, 29 February and 6 June 2000. On 7 December 2000 the Labour Court partly admitted the applicant’s claim. 10.  On the parties’ appeal, the Budapest Regional Court held hearings on 3 April and 22 May 2001. On the latter occasion, the Regional Court upheld the Labour Court’s decision. 11.  On 31 August 2001 the applicant pursued a petition for review before the Supreme Court. 12.  On 10 July 2002 the Supreme Court upheld the Regional Court’s decision in essence and increased the interest rate to be applied.