4.  The applicant, Leokadia Guzicka, is a Polish national, who was born in 1949 and lives in Kąty Wrocławskie, Poland. 5.  On 19 April 1994 the applicant brought a claim against her former employer, the “Perspektywa” Co-operative, to the Opole District Court (Sąd Rejonowy). She sought the annulment of the Co-operative Board’s resolution depriving her of her membership of the co-operative, and reinstatement. 6.  On 26 February 1997 the District Court found that it was not competent to deal with the claim and referred the case to the Opole Regional Court (Sąd Wojewódzki). 7.  On 22 June 1998, following the applicant’s complaint, the District Court sent the case-file to the Regional Court. 8.  The first hearing was set down for 18 September 1998. 9.  On 23 October, 23 November and 21 December 1998 the court held hearings. 10.  On 29 January 1999 the court allowed the applicant’s claim.