4.  The applicant was born in 1952 and lives in Góra Kalwaria, Poland. 5.  On 16 December 1987 the applicant filed with the Warsaw District Court ( Sąd Rejonowy) an application for division of matrimonial property. 6.  On 12 March 1993 the Warsaw District Court gave a partial decision (postanowienie częściowe). 7.  Prior to 1 May 1993 the trial court held 20 hearings and obtained four expert opinions. 8.  The court scheduled further hearings for 28 April 1995 and 26 May 1995 but the applicant due to her sick leave failed to appear. The hearings listed for 14 February 1996, 19 February 1997 and 16 May 1997 were adjourned. 9.  On 18 July 1997 the court held a hearing and heard evidence from the parties. A hearing listed for 1 August 1997 was cancelled. 10.  The applicant complained to the President of the District Court alleging inactivity on the part of that court in handling her case. In a reply of 9 February 1998 the President informed her that the next hearing was scheduled for 29 April 1998. However, that hearing was adjourned as the defendant and his counsel had not been present. They had not been served with the summons. The next hearing was held on 19 May 1998. 11.  On 27 May 1998 the Warsaw District Court gave a decision (postanowienie końcowe). The applicant appealed. 12.  The Warsaw Regional Court held hearings on 1 April, 20 July, 30 September, 24 November and 9 December 1999. The applicant was not present at any of the hearings despite being properly summoned. 13.  On 4 January 2000 the Warsaw Regional Court gave a final decision.