was not indigent, and his level of education not only enabled him to defend himself, as evidenced by this Application filed on 24 February 2017, but also enabled him to become aware of the existence of the Court and the proceedings before it within a reasonable time. Moreover, the Respondent State deposited the Declaration recognising the Court's jurisdiction four (4) years, three (3) and nine (9) days before the exhaustion of local remedies. 53. In light of the foregoing, the Court considers that the period of four (4) years, three (3) months and nine (9) days that elapsed before the Applicant filed his Application is unreasonable within the meaning Charter and Rule 40(6) of the Rules. of Article 56(6) of the Consequently, it finds that the Application is inadmissible on this ground. Vill. COSTS 54. The Court notes that Rule 30 of its Rules provides that: “Unless otherwise stated, each party shall bear its own costs". 55. Taking into account the circumstances of this case, the Court decides that each party shall bear its own costs. IX. OPERATIVE PART 56. For these reasons, THE COURT: Unanimously and in default, i. Declares that it has jurisdiction; 16