Scottish Government lawyers have been warned against using unnecessary Gaelic words and to use English "as far as possible" when drafting legislation.

The parliamentary counsel office, which oversees the drafting of bills, has published a 107-page manual on drafting legislation which urges lawyers to "always use English as far as possible".

The guide states that despite "an increasing trend towards giving bodies a name in Gaelic as well as in English" the most commonly used titles should be used in law.

Chief parliamentary counsel Andy Beattie, who authored the guide, said the lawyers should be guided in their use of English by the Gaelic proverb "abair ach beagan is abair gu math e" which means "say but little and say it well".

Lawyers have also been instructed to use gender neutral terms in legislation.

The guidance states: "Always use English as far as possible.

"Gaelic wording may be necessary in a special context, for example, specifying the body Bord na Gaidhlig.

"Use Latin words only where there is no suitable translation or another good reason for preferring them."

In the foreword to the manual, Beattie said: "As we go about drafting the Scottish Government's bills, we are inspired by the Gaelic proverb adorning the walls of our office, which, says 'abair ach beagan is abair gu math e'.

"Translating as 'say but little and say it well', this is an excellent rule of thumb for anyone seeking to make good law."

Lord advocate James Wolffe QC said: "The Parliamentary Counsel in the Scottish Government are highly-skilled and strive to produce the best legislation in the world.

"Parliamentary drafting is an art and it is right that we share our guiding principles.

"I am delighted the Scottish Government has decided to make this document publicly available, increasing the transparency of this important process which will, in turn, raise confidence in our legislation."