5.  The applicant was born in 1968 and lives in Celje. 6.  On 12 January 1997 the applicant was injured in a car accident. The perpetrator of the accident had taken out insurance with the insurance company ZT. 7.  On 24 September 1997 the applicant instituted civil proceedings against ZT in the Celje District Court (Okrožno sodišče v Celju) seeking damages in the amount of 5,887,277 Slovenian tolars (approximately 24,500 euros) for the injuries sustained.
Between 18 February 1998 and 27 September 1999 the applicant made five requests that a date be set for a hearing.
Between 4 September 1998 and 19 September 2000 he lodged three preliminary written submissions and/or adduced evidence.
Three hearings were held between 15 February 2000 and 26 October 2000.
During the proceedings the court appointed a medical expert.
At the last-mentioned hearing the court decided to deliver a written judgment. The judgment, upholding the applicant's claim in part, was served on the applicant on 21 December 2000. 8.  On 3 January 2001 the applicant appealed to the Celje Higher Court (Višje sodišče v Celju). ZT cross-appealed.
On 4 July 2001 the court dismissed both appeals.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 3 October 2001. 9.  On 2 November 2001 the applicant lodged an appeal on points of law with the Supreme Court (Vrhovno sodišče). The applicant also made a request for the withdrawal of one of the judges.
On 25 February 2002 the president of the Supreme Court dismissed the applicant's request for the withdrawal.
On 11 December 2002 the court allowed the applicant's appeal on points of law in part and increased the amount of the damages awarded. The judgment was served on the applicant on 30 January 2003.