8.  The applicant was born in 1945 and lives in Milan. 9.  In a letter of 28 June 1982, the former owner of the flat informed R.S. (the tenant) that he intended to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1983 and asked him to vacate the premises by that date. 10.  In a writ served on the tenant on 16 April 1984, the owner reiterated his intention to terminate the lease and summoned the tenant to appear before the Milan Magistrate. 11.  By a decision of 20 November 1984, which was made enforceable on the same date, the Milan Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 10 September 1985. 12.  The tenant asked the Milan Magistrate to postpone the enforcement proceedings. The Milan Magistrate set a fresh date for the end of August 1986. 13.  On 29 January 1985, the applicant became the owner of the flat and pursued the enforcement proceedings. 14.  On 4 July 1986, the applicant served notice on the tenant requiring him to vacate the premises. 15.  On 19 August 1986, he served notice on the tenant informing him that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 24 September 1986. 16.  Between 24 September 1986 and 22 October 1987, the bailiff made twelve attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicant was never granted the assistance of the police in enforcing the order for possession. 17.  On 24 March 1987, the applicant made a statutory declaration that he urgently required the premises as accommodation for himself. 18.  The tenant asked the Milan Magistrate to set again a fresh date for the enforcement for 28 July 1988. 19.  On 14 December 1988 and on 14 April 1989, the applicant served two notices on the tenant requiring him to vacate the premises. 20.  On 4 May 1989, he served notice on the tenant informing him that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 26 May 1989. 21.  Between 26 May 1989 and 13 January 2000, the bailiff made forty-four attempts to recover possession. 22.  On 13 January 2000, the applicant recovered possession of the flat.