4.  The applicants were born in 1968 and live in Kremenchug. 5.  On 7 August 1997 they instituted court proceedings against the U. bank in a dispute over a contract of pledge of a car. 6.  On 18 February 2002 the Svitlovodsk Court delivered a judgment in the case. On 27 June 2002 the Kirovograd Regional Court of Appeal upheld it. On 10 November 2004 the Supreme Court quashed the above decisions and remitted the case for fresh consideration. 7.  On 8 November 2005 the Svitlovodsk Court partially allowed the applicants' claim, declared the contract of pledge invalid and ordered the U. bank to pay the applicants certain amounts for the cost of the car, inflation losses and exemplary damages. 8.  On 23 December 2005 the Court of Appeal quashed the above judgment in the part concerning the award and upheld its remainder. 9.  On 16 June 2006, following the applicants' failure to lodge their appeal in cassation in accordance with the procedural requirements, the Supreme Court returned it unexamined. 10.  According to the Government, in the course of the proceedings three hearings were adjourned due to the applicants' failure to appear and four hearings were adjourned due to both parties' failure to appear. The applicants disagreed stating that they had not attended only two hearings. Seven other hearings were adjourned upon the respondent's request, for third party's failure to appear or due to the absence of a judge.