CEDH · CASELAW;REPORTS;ENG — 17 mai 1995

.sDD6737AE { font-size:11pt } .s211D6B00 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; line-height:normal; widows:0; orphans:0; font-size:8.5pt } .sBB9EE52A { font-family:Arial }                        EUROPEAN COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS                                FIRST CHAMBER                          Application No. 18859/91                                    U.S.                                   against                                   Austria                            REPORT OF THE COMMISSION                          (adopted on 17 May 1995)                              TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                    Page   INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1   PART I   :   STATEMENT OF THE FACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3   PART II :   SOLUTION REACHED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4                                INTRODUCTION   1.     This Report relates to the application introduced under Article 25 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms by U.S. against Austria on 10 September 1991.   It was registered on 25 September 1991 under file No. 18859/91.         The applicant was represented by Mr. Karl KRÜCKL, a lawyer practising in Linz.         The Government of Austria were represented by their Agent, Mr. F. Cede, Ambassador, Head of the International Law Department at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   2.     The application relates to the length of civil proceedings which the applicant instituted against a lawyer in September 1982.   3.     On 29 June 1994 the Commission (First Chamber) declared the application admissible.   It then proceeded to carry out its task under Article 28 para. 1 of the Convention which provides as follows:         "In the event of the Commission accepting a petition referred to       it:         a.    it shall, with a view to ascertaining the facts, undertake       together with the representatives of the parties an examination       of the petition and, if need be, an investigation, for the       effective conduct of which the States concerned shall furnish all       necessary facilities, after an exchange of views with the       Commission;         b.    it shall at the same time place itself at the disposal of       the parties concerned with a view to securing a friendly       settlement of the matter on the basis of respect for Human Rights       as defined in this Convention."   4.     The Commission (First Chamber) found that the parties had reached a friendly settlement of the case and on 17 May 1995 it adopted this Report, which, in accordance with Article 28 para. 2 of the Convention, is confined to a brief statement of the facts and of the solution reached.         The following members were present when the Report was adopted:              Mr. C.L. ROZAKIS, President            Mrs.J. LIDDY            MM. E. BUSUTTIL                A.S. GÖZÜBÜYÜK                A. WEITZEL                M.P. PELLONPÄÄ                B. MARXER                G.B. REFFI                B. CONFORTI                N. BRATZA                I. BÉKÉS                E. KONSTANTINOV                G. RESS                A. PERENIC                C. BÎRSAN                                   PART I                           STATEMENT OF THE FACTS   5.     The applicant is an Austrian citizen, born in 1950 and resident in Leonding.   6.     On 28 September 1982 the applicant brought an action for damages against a lawyer alleging that he had caused her damage in that he wrongly advised her in company law matters.   7.     The last judgment in the matter was, on appeal, given on 15 June 1993 and became final on 20 September 1993.   The applicant's claims were granted in part.                                   PART II                              SOLUTION REACHED   8.     Following the decision on the admissibility of the application, the Commission (First Chamber) placed itself at the disposal of the parties with a view to securing a friendly settlement in accordance with Article 28 para. 1 (b) of the Convention and invited the parties to submit any proposals they wished to make.   9.     In accordance with the usual practice, the Chamber Secretary, acting on the Commission's instructions, contacted the parties to explore the possibilities of reaching a friendly settlement.   10.    By letter of 20 January 1995 the respondent Government informed the Commission that they had agreed on the terms of a friendly settlement with the applicant, and submitted the following declaration:   [Translation]         "1.   The Austrian Government will pay to the applicant a sum       amounting to altogether AS 61,213 as compensation in respect of       any possible claims relating to the present application.   This       sum includes AS 21,213 in respect of the counsel's fees and       expenses incurred in the proceedings before the Commission.         ...         2.    The applicant declares her above-mentioned application       settled.         3.    The applicant waives any further claims against the       Republic of Austria relating to the present application."   [German]         "1.   Die österreichische Regierung zahlt der Beschwerdeführerin       als Ausgleich für sämtliche etwaige Ansprüche im Zusammenhang mit       der vorliegenden Individualbeschwerde einen Betrag von ÖS 61.213.       Dieser Betrag umfasst ÖS 21.213 hinsichtlich der Gebühren und       Auslagen, die im Rahmen des Verfahrens vor der Kommission       entstanden sind.         ...         2.    Die Beschwerdeführerin erklärt ihre oben genannte       Beschwerde als erledigt.         3.    Die Beschwerdeführerin verzichtet auf die Geltendmacheng       allfälliger weiterer Forderungen gegen die Republik Österreich       im Zusammenhang mit dem der Beschwerde zugrundeliegenden       Sachverhalt."   11.    This letter was communicated to the applicant's counsel.   In reply the applicant submitted a signed copy of the friendly settlement declaration on 3 March 1995.   12.    At its session on 17 May 1995, the Commission noted that the parties had reached an agreement regarding the terms of a settlement. It further considered, having regard to Article 28 para. 1 (b) of the Convention, that the friendly settlement of the case had been secured on the basis of respect for Human Rights as defined in the Convention.   13.    For these reasons, the Commission adopted the present Report.   Secretary to the First Chamber          President of the First Chamber        (M.F. BUQUICCHIO)                           (C.L. ROZAKIS)