FOURTH SECTION

DECISION

Application no . 43062/08 Lina WAHL against Lithuania

The European Court of Human Rights ( Fourth Section ), sitting on 23 February 2016 as a Committee composed of:

Vincent A. D e Gaetano , President, Krzysztof Wojtyczek , Iulia Antoanella Motoc , judges,

and Fatoş Aracı , Deputy Section Registrar ,

Having regard to the above application lodged on 24 July 2008 ,

Having deliberated, decides as follows:

FACTS AND PROCEDURE

The applicant, Ms Lina Wahl , is a Lithuanian national, who was born in 1963 and lives in Granite Bay, California, the United States of America .

The Lithuanian Government (“the Government”) were represented by their Agent, Ms K. Bubnyt ė .

The applicant complained under Article 8 of the Convention about the ‘ Lit h uanisation ’ of her family name in Lithuanian official documents.

On 16 December 2014 t he applicant ’ s complaint s were communicated to the Government, who then submitted their observations on the admissibility and merits. On 23 April 2015 t he Government ’ s observations were forwarded to the applicant, who was invited to submit her own observations. No reply was received to the Registry ’ s letter.

By letter dated 7 October 2015 , sent by registered post, the applicant was notified that the period allowed for submission of her observations had expired on 4 June 2015 and that no extension of time had been requested. The applicant ’ s attention was drawn to Article 37 § 1 (a) of the Convention, which provides that the Court may strike a case out of its list of cases where the circumstances lead to the conclusion that the applicant does not intend to pursue the application. However, no response has been received.

THE LAW

The Court considers that, in these circumstances, the applicant may be regarded as no longer wishing to pursue her application, within the meaning of Article 37 § 1 (a) of the Convention. Furthermore, in accordance with Article 37 § 1 in fine , the Court finds no special circumstances regarding respect for human rights as defined in the Convention and its Protocols which require the continued examination of the case.

In view of the above, it is appropriate to strike the case out of the list.

For these reasons, the Court, unanimously,

Decides to strike the application out of its list of cases.

Done in English and notified in writing on 17 March 2016 .

Fatoş Aracı Vincent A. De Gaetano Deputy Registrar President