5.  The applicant was born in 1959 and lives in Velenje. 6.  On 21 January 1997 the applicant was injured in an accident at work in a lignite mine. The applicant’s employer had taken out insurance with the insurance company ZT. 7.  On 24 July 1997 the applicant instituted civil proceedings against ZT in the Celje Local Court (Okrajno sodišče v Celju) seeking damages in the amount of 1,215,600 tolars (approximately 5,000 euros) for the injuries sustained.
Between 3 February 1999 and 23 April 2002 the applicant lodged four preliminary written submissions and/or adduced evidence.
Between 11 February and 12 November 1998 he made three requests that a date be set for a hearing.
Of the five hearings held between 11 December 1998 and 24 September 2002 none was adjourned at the request of the applicant.
During the proceedings the court appointed a medical expert who was ultimately replaced by another medical expert.
At the last hearing the court decided to deliver a written judgment. The judgment, upholding the applicant’s claim in part, was served on the applicant on 20 November 2002. 8.  On 22 November 2002 the applicant appealed to the Celje Higher Court (Višje sodišče v Celju) and further requested that the first-instance court corrects its judgment for typos and miscalculations. ZT cross-appealed.
On 27 November 2002 the first-instance court corrected the judgment. The decision was served on the applicant on 29 November 2002.
On 7 April 2004 the Celje Higher Court allowed both appeals in part, decreased the damages awarded and remitted the case to the first-instance court for re-examination of the decision on costs and expenses.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 4 May 2004
ZT requested that the court corrected the judgment for miscalculations.
On 13 May 2004 the court corrected the judgment.
On 4 June 2004 this decision was served on the applicant. 9.  On 8 October 2004 the first-instance court delivered a new decision on costs and expenses. 10.  On 19 October 2004 the applicant appealed to the Celje Higher Court.
On 9 November 2005 the court allowed the appeal and increased the amount awarded for costs and expenses. The decision was served on the applicant on 21 November 2005.