Information Note on the Court’s case-law 8

July 1999

S.N. v. Portugal - 33289/96

Judgment 6.7.1999 [Section IV]

Article 6

Civil proceedings

Article 6-1

Reasonable time

Length of criminal proceedings in which the applicant sought damages: friendly settlement

The applicant was the victim of a rape by an unknown offender. She lodged a complaint and criminal proceedings were commenced by the prosecution. In F ebruary 1991 the applicant applied to be joined as an assistente (person assisting the prosecution) in the criminal proceedings. In September 1991 the investigating judge granted that application. In April 1995 the representative of the public prosecutor's office lodged his submissions regarding the suspect and in May 1995 the applicant made a claim for damages. In its judgment of 10 October 1995 the court found that although the applicant had proved that she had been raped it was not possible to establish the guilt of the suspect, who was therefore acquitted. The applicant complained of the length of the proceedings.

The Government are disposed to settle the case by making a payment of 1,200,000 escudos to the applicant: 1,000,000 escudos for non-pecuniary damage and 200,000 escudos for costs and expenses. The offer is not to be taken as any admission by the Portuguese Government that there has been a violation of the Convention.

© Council of Europe/European Court of Human Rights This summary by the Registry does not bind the Court.

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