P.M. v. BULGARIA JUDGMENT 11 III. APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 41 OF THE CONVENTION 71. Article 41 of the Convention provides: “If the Court finds that there has been a violation of the Convention or the Protocols thereto, and if the internal law of the High Contracting Party concerned allows only partial reparation to be made, the Court shall, if necessary, afford just satisfaction to the injured party.” A. Damage 72. The applicant claimed 100,000 euros (EUR) in respect of nonpecuniary damage suffered as a result of the violations of her rights under the Convention, stating, in particular, that the prolonged and ineffective investigation of the sexual offences against her had aroused in her feelings of injustice, helplessness and frustration. 73. The Government contested this claim. 74. The Court considers that the applicant must have sustained non-pecuniary damage as a result of the breaches of her rights found in the case. Taking into account all the circumstances of the case, and deciding on an equitable basis, the Court awards her EUR 15,000 under this head. B. Costs and expenses 75. The applicant sought EUR 3,000 for fifty hours of legal work by her lawyer in the proceedings before the Court, at an hourly rate of EUR 60. In support of this claim she presented a contract and a time sheet. She further claimed 500 Bulgarian levs for postage, translation, and office expenses but did not present any invoices or receipts in support of her claim. 76. The Government considered that the claims were excessive. 77. According to the Court’s case-law, an applicant is entitled to the reimbursement of costs and expenses only in so far as it has been shown that these have been actually and necessarily incurred and are reasonable as to quantum. In the present case, regard being had to the information in its possession and the above criteria, and taking into account the applicant’s failure to provide all necessary documents, such as invoices and receipts for postage or office expenses, the Court finds it reasonable to award the sum of EUR 3,000 to the applicant, plus any tax that may be chargeable to her. C. Default interest 78. The Court considers it appropriate that the default interest rate should be based on the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank, to which should be added three percentage points.

Select target paragraph3