The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 32
(art. 32) of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"),
Having regard to the report drawn up by the European
Commission of Human Rights in accordance with Article 31 (art. 31)
of the Convention relating to the application lodged on
26 October 1987 by Mr Francesco De Giovanni against Italy
(Application No. 13689/88);
Whereas on 3 September 1992 the Commission transmitted the
said report to the Committee of Ministers and whereas the period of
three months provided for in Article 32, paragraph 1 (art. 32-1),
of the Convention has elapsed without the case having been brought
before the European Court of Human Rights in pursuance of
Article 48 (art. 48) of the Convention;
Whereas in his application, declared admissible by the
Commission on 14 October 1991, the applicant complained of the
excessive length of certain civil proceedings;
Whereas in its report adopted on 1 July 1992, the Commission
expressed, unanimously, the opinion that there had been a violation
of Article 6, paragraph 1 (art. 6-1), of the Convention;
Whereas, at the 485th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies held
on 15 December 1992, the Committee of Ministers, agreeing with the
opinion expressed by the Commission, held, having voted in
accordance with the provisions of Article 32, paragraph 1
(art. 32-1), of the Convention, that there had been in this case a
violation of Article 6, paragraph 1 (art. 6-1), of the Convention;
Whereas the Committee of Ministers examined the proposals made
by the Commission when transmitting its report as regards just
satisfaction to be awarded to the applicant, proposals supplemented
by a letter of the President of the Commission dated
10 December 1993;
Whereas, at the 507th meeting of the Deputies held on
4 February 1994, the Committee of Ministers decided, in accordance
with Article 32, paragraph 2 (art. 32-2), of the Convention, that
the Government of Italy was to pay the applicant as just
satisfaction, within three months, 8 000 000 Italian lire in
respect of non-pecuniary damage and 95 670 Italian lire in respect
of costs and expenses, namely the total sum of 8 095 670 Italian
lire;
Whereas the Committee of Ministers invited the Government of
Italy to inform it of the measures taken following its decisions of
15 December 1992 and 4 February 1994, having regard to Italy's
obligation under Article 32, paragraph 4 (art. 32-4), of the
Convention to abide by them;
Whereas the Government of Italy recalled that measures had
already been taken to prevent the repetition of the violation found
in this case, through the entry into force on 30 April and
1 May 1995 of two laws restructuring the civil courts and speeding
up the civil proceedings (see Resolution DH (95) 82 in the case of
Zanghì against Italy);
Whereas the Committee of Ministers satisfied itself that
on 3 November 1994 the Government of Italy paid the applicant the
total sum of 8 095 670 Italian lire as just satisfaction,
Declares, having taken note of the measures taken by the
Government of Italy, that it has exercised its functions under
Article 32 (art. 32) of the Convention in this case;
Authorises the publication of the report adopted by the
Commission in this case.
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