Mr Mackenzie, chief executive of the Scottish Arbitration Centre, addressed the UN-affiliated Zero Project Conference last Friday in his capacity as co-chair of the IBA Access to Justice and Legal Aid Committee.

He said: “It is clear that more needs to be done to break down some of the additional barriers to access to justice often faced by those with disabilities and we hoped that the IBA report would raise awareness of these issues.

“Clearly being invited by the Zero Project to speak to the report at its prestigious conference assists with that goal and provides the legal profession with a key role in discussions on access to justice in this area. Ultimately we hope our work will lead to enhanced access to justice for some of the more vulnerable in our society.”

The Zero Project was initiated by the Essl Foundation in 2008 and focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities globally. Its mission is to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).