Image source, Getty Images

Under the new legislation, child welfare reporters, who may be appointed when the court has been asked to resolve a dispute between parents, would be regulated.

This would ensure reporters are trained to understand and respond to issues such as domestic abuse and coercive control.

The Scottish government said other improvements include prohibiting a party from conducting their own case if there was a vulnerable witness.

Campaigners have welcomed the publication of the bill.

Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women's Aid, said: "This piece of legislation will be vital for child victims of domestic abuse, as well as their mothers."

Image source, bbc

Sue McKellar from Scottish Women's Aid says the group of children came from Power Up, Power Down and Everyday Heroes and were between nine and ten at the time and are now young people.

They are still engaged and have asked to speak directly to Community Safety Minister Ash Denham about the bill, Ms McKellar adds.

Megan Farr from the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland explains the children worked through fictitious characters rather than through their own experiences, which was important.

Ms Farr explains the children have carried on being involved through Yello! and Everyday Heroes.

Ms McKellar concurs, explaining they were able to come to parliament and present to Nicola Sturgeon.

Professor Kay Tisdall says there are consistent findings in the research, but two gaps identified are children not being involved in contested cases and therefore do not go to court, and children who are not supported in court.

Megan Farr from the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland says around half of cases that reach court involve domestic abuse allegations, hence the focus of research on such cases.

Susie Dalton says Scottish Women's Aid worked with children aged 6 to 17 to consider improving the child contact process, while a separate piece of work on gender-based violence involving 6-26 year olds was also undertaken.

The Children Bill omits some of the recommendations from this work relating to support and advocacy workers and protection of confidentiality on the face of the bill, she says.

However it does make improvements around making the process safer, ensuring children are heard, and communicating decisions to children she adds.

Justice Committee convener Margaret Mitchell says the key aspect of the bill is that the views of children should be heard.

Ms Mitchell begins asking about the research being undertaken by the academics and the age of the children selected.

Dr Fiona Morrison from Stirling University says the research undertaken with Clan Childlaw, external involved a small group of young children who had all experienced domestic abuse.

Image source, bbc

Dr Morrison says the research was a bit broader with members of the judiciary and legal professionals also interviewed.

The children explained how they felt quite left out of the legal process, and the confusion and frustration they felt, she says.

The youngest child was seven and the oldest was twelve, she adds.

Image source, Getty Images

Proposed new laws to improve the experience of children involved in family courts have been published by the Scottish government.

The Children (Scotland) Bill, external follows a consultation which took into account the views of young people.

Ministers say they want to ensure the justice system does not contribute to young people's distress.

Campaigners said the legislation was "vital" for child victims of domestic abuse.

The proposals are intended to update the 1995 Children Act, to reflect changes within modern families.

• Read more
• Check our reports from the evidence session on 26 November 2019 here

The Justice Committee, external will shortly take evidence on the Children (Scotland) Bill., external

It aims to make improvements to the family court system in Scotland.

View evidence the committee has taken on the bill so far here., external

Read the committee papers for today here.

MSPs will quiz:

• Susie Dalton from Scottish Women’s Aid, external
• Sue McKellar from Scottish Women's Aid
• Megan Farr from the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland, external
• Dr Fiona Morrison from Stirling University
• Professor Kay Tisdall from the University of Edinburgh

Image source, Getty Images

and then from:

• Professor Elaine Sutherland from Stirling University
• Dr Richard Whitecross from Edinburgh Napier University.

Image source, bbc

Welcome to BBC Scotland's Holyrood Live coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 17 December 2019.

A statement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected this afternoon (timing TBC). For now, the schedule is as follows...

• 10am: The Justice Committee takes evidence on the Children (Scotland) Bill
• 2.05-2.20 pm: Topical Questions (if selected)
• 2.20-5 pm: Stage 3 Proceedings: UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill
• 5.05 pm: Members’ Business: Alex Rowley – A Menu for Change’s Report, Found Wanting