4.  The applicant was born in 1937 and lives in Brześć Kujawski, Poland. 5.  On 29 January 1985 the applicant initiated before the Włocławek District Court (Sąd Rejonowy) civil proceeding concerning the division of his late parents’ estate. The estate consisted of two plots of land, 16 hectares in area, and one house. 6.  Subsequently, the court held hearings and ordered expert opinions. 7.  In 1993 the court held hearings in June and November. Subsequently, the court ordered expert opinions and in September 1994 it stayed the proceedings. Upon the applicant’s appeal the proceedings were resumed on 5 June 1995. The next hearing was held in July 1996 but subsequent hearings were held at more regular intervals. 8.  Between September 1997 and March 1999 no hearings were held. During this period, the court ordered an expert opinion which was submitted in April 1998. A hearing scheduled for January 1999 was cancelled and took place in March 1999. Subsequently, the court ordered another expert opinion to be prepared and held the next hearing on 25 April 2000. 9.  At least on two occasions, in 1996 and 2000, the presiding judge changed and the proceedings had to start from the beginning. 10.  On 4 May 2000 the Włocławek District Court gave judgment. The court divided up the estate in question. 11.  A party to the proceedings lodged an appeal against the judgment. 12.  On 13 February 2001 the Włocławek Regional Court (Sąd Okręgowy) dismissed the appeal.