4.  The first applicant was born in 1941. They applicants live in Zallikon, Switzerland. 5.  On 14 September 1994 the applicants lodged with the Kielce Regional Court (Sąd Wojewódzki) a civil action for payment. On 21 February 1995 that court decided that the Commercial Law Chamber of the Kielce Regional Court was competent to examine the case. Afterwards, the Commercial Law Chamber declined jurisdiction. Finally, on 7 June 1995 the President of the Kielce Regional Court decided that the case should be examined by the Civil Law Chamber. 6.  On 7 September 1995 and 24 January 1996 the Regional Court held hearings. Subsequently, it decided that expert opinions should be prepared. 7.  Between 19 September 1996 and 15 January 1997 the court held four hearings. 8.  On 4 April 1997 the court decided to commission another expert opinion. Subsequently, it held hearings in September, November and December 1997. 9.  On 19 January 1998 the court ordered that another expert opinion be prepared. 10.  On 20 March 1998 the court held a hearing. 11.  On 23 March 1998 the Kielce Regional Court dismissed the applicants’ action. They appealed against the judgment. 12.  On 10 November 1998 the Krakow Court of Appeal (Sąd Apelacyjny) dismissed the appeal. The applicants lodged a cassation appeal. 13.  On 28 June 2001 the Supreme Court (Sąd Najwyższy) refused to entertain the cassation appeal.