The Family Law Council has announced a quartet of new appointments.

Associate professor Helen Rhoades, federal magistrate Kevin Lapthorn, Dr. Rae Kaspiew and Alison Playford have been appointed to the Family Law Council, announced today (14 July) by Attorney-General Robert McClelland.

Rhoades is an associate professor in law at the University of Melbourne and has been appointed chair of the Council. Lapthorn, Kaspiew and Playford have been appointed as members.

Lapthorn has been a federal magistrate since 2005 and has worked as a barrister, child representative, in-house legal counsel and lecturer.

Kaspiew is a socio-legal researcher with the Australian Institute of Family Studies and Playford is first assistant secretary of the Access to Justice Division in the Attorney-General's department, providing advice to Government on family law policy.

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The Council plays an important role in advising and making recommendations to Government on family law matters including the Family Law Act and legal assistance services.

"All four appointees come to the Council with diverse backgrounds in the family law system and their extensive experience will be a great asset," said McClelland.