The operation of family law in Scotland needs a "wholesale review", MSPs have said.

Holyrood's Justice Committee recently took evidence from a range of people including academics and lawyers on some aspects of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006.

MSPs looked at cohabitation and parental rights and responsibilities, and heard a range of concerns about current provisions.

Convener Christine Grahame said the committee's report sets out views on aspects of family law that the next committee "may wish to consider" in more depth.

She said that gradual changes to family law have meant that it now "lacks coherency and purpose" and that clarity is needed on how the legal system deals with cases involving children.

Ms Grahame said: "Everyone agrees that the welfare of children should be of paramount importance within family law.

"However, it appears that the current legislative framework can give rise to adversarial disputes which can make a bad situation worse. Whether that is down to how the law is framed or how it is applied is open to debate.

"Overall, though, it is clear that the way in which the Scottish legal system handles family law cases involving children raises strong and conflicting views.

"With the main legislation on child law now arguably beginning to show its age, it may be time for a wholesale review."

Cases would benefit from being handled by specialist family law sheriffs and increased use of mediation, she said.

The committee also heard of confusion about the state of the law on adult relationships, such as cohabitation, marriage, civil partnerships, and separations.

Ms Grahame added: "It has been argued that changes have been piecemeal to the extent that the law now lacks coherency and purpose."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "We welcome this report by the Justice Committee and will study it carefully.

"We are preparing a Family Justice Modernisation Strategy looking at how to improve the way cases are dealt with and how to make sure the voice of the child is best heard."