5.  The applicant was born in 1956 and lives in Velenje. 6.  On 17 August 1989 the applicant was injured in an accident at work in a mine. The applicant’s employer had taken out insurance with the insurance company ZT. 7.  On 30 June 1993 the applicant instituted civil proceedings against ZT. in the Celje Basic Court, Celje Unit (Temeljno sodišče v Celju, Enota v Celju) seeking damages in the amount of 700,000 tolars (approximately 2,900 euros) for the injuries sustained.
Until 28 June 1994, the day the Convention entered into force with respect to Slovenia, the applicant lodged six preliminary written observations and made four requests that a date be set for a hearing. The court held a hearing and appointed a medical expert.
On 1 January 1995 the Celje Local Court (Okrajno sodišče v Celju) gained jurisdiction in the present case due to the reform of the Slovenian judicial system.
On 13 June 1996 and 11 September 1996 the applicant lodged preliminary written submissions and/or adduced evidence.
On 18 October 1996 he requested that a date be set for a hearing.
Neither of the hearings held on 13 July 1994 and 29 January 1997 was adjourned at the request of the applicant.
During the proceedings the court sought an additional opinion from the appointed medical expert.
At the last hearing the court decided to deliver a written judgment. The judgment, upholding the applicant’s claim, was served on the applicant on 3 March 1997. 8.  On 18 March 1997 ZT appealed to the Celje Higher Court (Višje sodišče v Celju).
On 17 September 1997 the court allowed the ZT’s appeal in part and remitted the case to the first-instance court for re-examination.
The decision was served on the applicant on 22 December 1997. 9.  On 5 January 1998 the applicant submitted preliminary written observations and requested that a date be set for a hearing.
On 12 March 1998 the court held a hearing.
The judgment, upholding the applicant’s claim, was served on the applicant on 7 April 1998. 10.  On 21 April 1998 ZT appealed to the Celje Higher Court.
On 23 September 1998 the court allowed the appeal and dismissed the applicant’s claim.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 28 December 1998. 11.  On 7 January 1999 the applicant lodged an appeal on points of law with the Supreme Court (Vrhovno sodišče).
On 20 January 2000 the court allowed the applicant’s appeal, annulled the second-instance court’s judgment and remitted the case to the second-instance court for re-examination.
The decision was served on the applicant on 6 November 2000. 12.  On 28 September 2000 the Celje Higher Court, re-examining TZ’s appeal of 21 April 1998, allowed the appeal and remitted the case to the first-instance court for re-examination. 13.  Between 12 February 2001 and 4 July 2001 the applicant lodged three preliminary written submissions and/or adduced evidence.
Neither of the hearings held on 1 March 2001 and 4 April 2001 was adjourned at the request of the applicant.
During the proceedings the court sought an additional opinion from the appointed medical expert.
At the last hearing the court decided to deliver a written judgment. The judgment, dismissed the applicant’s claim, was served on the applicant on 2 October 1997. 14.  On 4 October 2001 the applicant appealed to the Celje Higher Court.
On 18 September 2002 the court dismissed the appeal.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 15 October 2002. 15.  On 23 October 2002 the applicant lodged an appeal on points of law with the Supreme Court (Vrhovno sodišče). He also sought a recusal of one of the judges.
On 24 February 2003 the president of the court rejected the applicants request for a recusal.
On 8 January 2004 the court dismissed the applicant’s appeal.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 16 February 2004.