An Abertay University sociologist has claimed plans to appoint a named person for every child in Scotland represents unnecessary interference in family life.
Dr Stuart Waiton will chair a national conference of opponents of the new law as lawyers put the finishing touches to an effort to secure a judicial review of the Children and Young People Act.
Under the legislation, everyone under 18 will be assigned a named person such as a health visitor or head teacher who will have the power to advise and inform the child or discuss or raise matters about the child with relevant authorities.
Ministers have said this will promote child well-being and development.
But Dr Waiton said: “The worrying aspect of the named person legislation is that those in authority who are promoting this appear to have little or no comprehension about the importance of autonomy and privacy for family life.
“Even the most well meaning form of intervention can undermine parental authority and degrade the important private relationships in families.
“The vast majority of parents are caring loving people who need neither support nor interference from outside bodies and should be trusted and left alone to do what they do best look after their own children.”
The Christian Institute is spearheading the judicial review campaign.