INTERIM RESOLUTION DH (97) 643

HUMAN RIGHTS APPLICATION No. 31328/96 MAZZIOTTI AGAINST ITALY

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 15 December 1997

at the 610th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 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 on 15 April 1997 by the European Commission of Human Rights in accordance with Article 31 of the Convention relating to the application lodged on 3 May 1993 by Mr Achille Mazziotti against Italy (Application No. 31328/96);

Whereas on 4 June 1997 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, of the Convention has elapsed without the case having been brought before the European Court of Human Rights in pursuance of Article 48 of the Convention;

Whereas in his application, declared admissible by the Commission on 21 January 1997, the applicant complained of the excessive length of certain proceedings before the civil courts;

Whereas in its report the Commission expressed, unanimously, the opinion that there had been a violation of Article 6, paragraph 1, of the Convention and that it was not necessary to examine whether there had been a violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1;

Whereas, at the 610th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies, the Committee of Ministers, having voted in accordance with the provisions of Article 32, paragraph 1, of the Convention, and agreed with the opinion expressed by the Commission, held, by decision adopted on 15 December 1997, that there had been in this case a violation of Article 6, paragraph 1, of the Convention,

Authorises the publication of the report adopted by the Commission in this case;

Decides to pursue the examination of the present case in accordance with Article 32 of the Convention with a view to adopting the final resolution.