PROCEDURE

The case originated in an application (no. 27833/02) against the Republic of Poland lodged with the Court under Article 34 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (“the Convention”) by a Polish national, Mr Artur Nowak (“the applicant”), on 17 July 2002.

The Polish Government (“the Government”) were represented by their Agents, Ms S. Jaczewska, and subsequently, Mr J. Wołąsiewicz of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On 5 June 2003 the President of the Fourth Section decided to communicate the complaint concerning the length of the proceedings to the Government. Under the provisions of Article 29 § 3 of the Convention, it was decided to examine the merits of the application at the same time as its admissibility.

THE FACTS

The applicant was born in 1976 and lives in Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland.

In December 1993 the applicant, at that time seventeen years old, was hit by a car driven by a certain Mr R.Z. As a consequence of the accident, his left leg had to be amputated.

On 17 June 1994 the applicant, represented by his mother, lodged with the Piotrków Regional Court (Sąd Wojewódzki) a civil action against the State Insurance Company (Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń). He claimed 800,000,000 old zlotys in compensation for pecuniary and non‑pecuniary damage.

On 18 June 1994 the trial court exempted the applicant from payment of court-fees.

On 24 August 1994 the first hearing was held. The trial court requested the applicant's medical file from a hospital and ordered an expert opinion.

At the next hearing held on 1 February 1995 the court heard an expert witness and requested a second expert opinion.

Between 2 February and 21 November 1995 no hearings were held.

At the hearing held on 22 November 1995 the trial court gave the parties a time-limit for reaching a friendly settlement.

Subsequently, hearings were held on 11 March and 27 November 1996. At those hearings the court heard the applicant's mother and an expert witness.

The hearing scheduled for 26 February 1997 was cancelled due to illness of the applicant's counsel.

On 27 February 1997 the applicant modified his claim. He in addition sought a monthly allowance.

Afterwards, hearings were held on 5 March and 9 April 1997. Mr. R.Z., the driver responsible for the accident, joined the proceedings as an intervener.

Between 10 April 1997 and 10 September 1998 no hearings were held.

On 11 September and 9 October 1998 the trial court held hearings at which it heard an expert witness and the applicant.

On 2 December 1998 the Piotrków Trybunalski Regional Court gave judgment. The trial court awarded the applicant compensation and a monthly pension.

On 28 January 1999 the defendant lodged an appeal against this judgment.

On 16 April 1999 the Łódź Court of Appeal (Sąd Apelacyjny) held a hearing and gave judgment. It amended the first-instance judgment regarding interest and ordered the applicant to reimburse the costs of the proceedings incurred by the defendant.

On 1 June 1999 the applicant lodged a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court (Sąd Najwyższy).

On 23 January 2002 the Supreme Court held a hearing and gave judgment. The Supreme Court partly allowed his cassation appeal.