4.  The applicants, Mr Aleksandar Nikolov, born in 1957, Mr Vasil Vasilev, born in 1960, and Mr Emil Rekarski, born in 1941, are Bulgarian nationals. 5.  On 7 February 2001 Mr Nikolov initiated proceedings for unlawful dismissal before the Pernik District Court. The court held hearings on 27 February, 15 March and 3 April 2001. In a judgment of 2 May 2001 it found in favour of Mr Nikolov and reinstated him. 6.  On 30 May 2001 the applicant’s former employer appealed before the Pernik Regional Court, which held hearings on 6 December 2001 and 7 February 2002. 7.  By a judgment of 7 March 2002 the Regional Court upheld the lower court’s judgment. 8.  On 14 May 2002 the defendant company submitted a cassation appeal. On an unspecified date the Supreme Court of Cassation (“the SCC”) held a hearing in the case. 9.  In a judgment of 28 April 2004 it quashed the Regional Court’s judgment and remitted the case. 10.  In a decision of 10 May 2005, which was not appealed against, the Regional Court discontinued on unspecified grounds the appeal proceedings initiated by the employer. Thus, the judgment of 2 May 2001 became final on 18 May 2005. 11.  Apparently, after his reinstatement, Mr Nikolov was dismissed again due to structural changes in the employer company. 12.  On 21 January 2002 Mr Vasilev instituted proceedings for unlawful dismissal and damages before the Lom District Court. The court held hearings on 20 February and 19 March 2002. 13.  In a judgment of 3 April 2002 it found in favour of Mr Vasilev, reinstated him and awarded him damages. 14.  On appeal by the employer submitted on 30 April 2002, the case was examined by the Montana Regional Court, which held hearings on 9 December 2002 and 11 March 2003. 15.  In a judgment of 27 March 2003 the Montana Regional Court quashed the lower court’s judgment in respect of the damages awarded and upheld the remainder. 16.  On 20 May 2003 the applicant’s former employer filed a cassation appeal. In a decision of 18 November 2005 the SCC discontinued the cassation proceedings as the employer had not paid the relevant court fee. This decision was not appealed against and on 23 December 2005 the judgment of 3 April 2002 became final. 17.  Mr Vasilev was reinstated on 8 February 2006. However, he could not take up his duties as while the proceedings were pending his contract had expired and had not been prolonged. 18.  On 8 January 2003 Mr Rekarski instituted proceedings for unlawful dismissal before the Sofia District Court. In a judgment of 14 July 2003 the court found in favour of Mr Rekarski and reinstated him. On appeal by the employer, in a judgment of 23 April 2004 the Sofia City Court upheld the previous court’s judgment. 19.  The employer instituted cassation proceedings. The SCC upheld the lower courts’ judgments in a final judgment of 27 April 2007.