The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) is to enter into talks with the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) over how court facilities can be improved for disabled people, after it paid out compensation to a deaf man whose case was delayed because the wrong type of interpreter was provided.

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People took on Alistair Appleby's action against the DCA after his original proceedings against the Department for Work and Pensions were held up for six months because a sign language - rather than speech-to-text - interpreter was provided at Lambeth County Court.

Mr Appleby does not use sign language.

The DCA paid 1,100 for court fees and emotional distress and also agreed to discuss current procedures with the DRC.

A spokeswoman said there had been a 'clerical error' but denied there was any landmark judgment as an out-of-court settlement was reached.

Paula Rohan