WIERZBICKI v. POLAND - 24541/94

The European Court of Human Rights (First Section), sitting as a Chamber composed of:

The case originated in an application (no. 24541/94) against Poland lodged with the European Commission of Human Rights (“the Commission”) under former Article 25 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (“the Convention”) by a Polish national, Mr Piotr Wierzbicki (“the applicant”), on 20 January 1994.

The case was referred to the Court by the European Commission of Human Rights on 2 November 1999, within the three-month period laid down by former Articles 32 § 1 and 47 of the Convention. The Commission's request referred to former Articles 44 and 48 and to the declaration whereby Poland recognised the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court (former Article 46). The object of the request was to obtain a decision as to whether the facts of the case disclosed a breach by the respondent State of its obligations under Article 6 § 1 of the Convention.

The applicant was represented by Mr A. Grot, a lawyer practising in Warsaw. The Polish Government (“the Government”) were represented by their Agent, Mr K. Drzewicki, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On 13 December 1999 the panel of the Grand Chamber determined that the case should be decided by one of the Sections (Rule 100 § 1 of the Rules of Court). It was thereupon assigned to the First Section.