4.  The applicant was born in 1953 and lives in Budapest. 5.  The applicant filed claims with the Budapest Labour Court on 25 August and 7 September 1993, respectively, alleging unlawful dismissal by, and claiming compensation from, his former employer (“proceedings A and B”). 6.  On 30 November 1993 the applicant and 182 other plaintiffs including three trade unions – one of which was represented by the applicant as a member of its legal advice service – filed an action with the same court claiming unlawful legal succession of their former employer (“proceedings C”). 7.  Following a successful motion for bias by the applicant, the Pest County Labour Court was appointed to hear both cases on 13 December 1994. On 22 November and 20 December 1995, respectively, the Labour Court ordered the suspension of the proceedings pending the outcome of proceedings C. 8.  On 12 August 2002 the applicant requested that both cases be resumed, since proceedings B had been discontinued by the appeal court (see paragraph 16 below). 9.  The Labour Court gave judgments dismissing the applicant's actions on 22 January and 22 April 2004, respectively. 10.  On appeal, the Pest County Regional Court delivered judgments, partly accepting the applicant's claims, on 10 June 2005. These decisions were served on the applicant on 3 August and 5 September 2005, respectively. Concerning one of them, a rectification order was issued on 7 September 2005. 11.  On 2 December 1994 the Budapest Labour Court dismissed the action in respect of 123 plaintiffs including the applicant. On 25 August 1995 the Supreme Court appointed the Veszprém County Regional Court to hear the appeal. On 14 February 1996 this court quashed the first-instance decision for formal shortcomings, holding that the applicant had not been authorised to represent some co-plaintiffs. 12.  On 26 February 1997 the Pest County Labour Court was appointed to hear the case. 13.  On 21 April 1998 the applicant requested supplementation of the order of 2 October 1996. On 28 October 1998 the Veszprém County Regional Court dismissed the applicant's request. 14.  The Labour Court held hearings on 18 January, 11 March and 20 May 1999 and delivered a judgment on 27 May 1999. On appeal, on 3 November 1999 the Pest County Regional Court quashed the judgment and remitted the case. On 18 February 2000 the applicant requested the rectification and supplementation of this decision which was done on 19 June 2000. 15.  The Labour Court held further hearings on 21 December 2000 and 18 January 2001. On 26 March 2001 it delivered a judgment dismissing the action in respect of most plaintiffs including the applicant, and discontinuing the proceedings in respect of others. On appeal, the Pest County Regional Court held hearings on 8 October and 26 November 2001. On 15 October 2001 the respondents declared that they would not claim costs from those plaintiffs who withdrew their action and appeal. 16.  On 8 February 2002 the applicant informed the court that, like other plaintiffs, he withdrew his action and appeal. On 18 February 2002 the Regional Court discontinued the proceedings. This decision was served on the applicant on 6 August 2002.