5.  The applicant was born in 1953 and lives in Velenje. 6.  On 17 March 1986 the applicant was injured in an accident at work in a lignite mine. Following two separate court settlements made in 1987 and 1992, the applicant received compensation for the injuries sustained. 7.  On 5 April 1994 the applicant instituted civil proceedings against his employer, a company called RLV, in the Celje Labour Court (Sodišče združenega dela v Celju) seeking damages in the amount of 2,315,789 tolars (approximately 9,600 euros) for the injuries sustained in the accident of 1986, but which only became apparent after the settlements.
Between 1 June 1994 and 10 February 1997 the applicant lodged ten preliminary written submissions and/or adduced evidence.
Between 1 June 1994 and 13 December 1996 he made four requests that a date be set for a hearing.
Of the five hearings held between 9 January 1995 and 25 March 1997 none was adjourned at the request of the applicant.
During the proceedings the court appointed a medical expert and a financial expert. The court also sought an additional opinion from the appointed experts.
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 1 April 1997. 8.  On 10 April 1997 the applicant appealed to the Higher Labour and Social Court (Višje delovno in socialno sodišče). RLV cross-appealed.
On 3 December 1999 the court allowed the appeals in part and remitted the case to the first-instance court for re-examination.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 17 January 2000. 9.  The hearing before the Celje Labour Court scheduled for 2 March 2000 was adjourned until 30 March 2000 at the applicant’s request.
Between 29 March 2000 and 21 March 2001 the applicant lodged three preliminary written submissions.
On 20 June 2000 the court sought an additional opinion from the appointed medical expert.
On 24 May 2001 the court held a hearing and concluded the case.
The judgment, upholding the applicant’s claim in part, was served on the applicant on 21 June 2001. 10.  On 26 June 2001 the applicant appealed to the Higher Labour and Social Court. He also sought an exemption from court fees. RLV cross-appealed.
On 24 August 2001 the Celje Labour Court rejected the applicant’s request for exemption from court fees.
On 4 September 2001 the applicant appealed against the decision concerning court fees to the Higher Labour and Social Court.
On 3 October 2003 the Higher Labour and Social Court upheld the first-instance court decision concerning court fees.
On the same day the court rejected the appeals against the first-instance court’s judgment. 11.  On 30 October 2003 the applicant lodged an appeal on points of law with the Supreme Court (Vrhovno sodišče).
On 15 June 2004 the court dismissed the applicant’s appeal.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 28 June 2004.