5.  The applicant was born in 1952 and lives in Velenje. 6.  On 6 January 1994 the applicant was injured in an accident at work. The applicant’s employer had taken out insurance with the insurance company ZT. 7.  On 27 December 1995 the applicant instituted civil proceedings against ZT in the Celje District Court (Okrožno sodišče v Celju) seeking damages in the amount of 4,400,000 tolars (approximately 18,300 euros) for the injuries sustained.
Between 15 January 1996 and 3 December 1997 the applicant lodged five preliminary written submissions and/or adduced evidence.
Between 24 March 1997 and 9 April 1998 he made three requests that a date be set for a hearing.
On 25 September 1997 the presiding judge was appointed to the Celje Higher Court (Višje sodišče v Celju) and the case was transferred to a new judge.
Of the six hearings held between 19 November 1997 and 10 June 1998 none was adjourned at the request of the applicant. Four hearings were adjourned because a witness failed to appear before the court.
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 14 July 1998. 8.  On 22 July 1998 the applicant appealed to the Celje Higher Court (Višje sodišče v Celju). ZT cross-appealed.
On 14 April 1999 the court allowed the appeals, quashed the first-instance court judgment and remitted the case to the first-instance court for re-examination.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 10 June 1999. 9.  During the re-examination proceedings before the first-instance court the applicant made preparatory written submissions and/or adduced evidence on 26 August 1999 and 9 September 1999.
On 22 September 1999 a hearing was held and the court decided to deliver a written judgment.
On 2 December 1999 the judgment was served on the parties. 10.  On 13 December 1999 the applicant appealed to the Celje Higher Court. ZT cross-appealed.
On 18 October 2000 the Celje Higher Court dismissed the applicant’s appeal. The judgment was served on the applicant on 12 December 2000. 11.  On 27 December 2000 the applicant lodged an appeal on points of law with the Supreme Court (Vrhovno sodišče).
On 17 January 2002 the court allowed the applicant’s appeal in part.
The judgment was served on the applicant on 26 March 2002.