Angelina Jolie, 46, has scored a victory in her lengthy battle against ex-husband Brad Pitt, 57.
The couple share six children, five of whom are under 18: Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 15, and twins Nox and Vivienne, 13.
According to reports, a California appeals court disqualified the private judge linked to Pitt’s attorneys.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal agreed with the Maleficent star that Judge W. Ouderkirk did not sufficiently disclose business relationships with Pitt’s attorneys.
“Judge Ouderkirk´s ethical breach, considered together with the information disclosed concerning his recent professional relationships with Pitt’s counsel, might cause an objective person, aware of all the facts, reasonably to entertain a doubt as to the judge´s ability to be impartial,” the court ruled.
“Disqualification is required.”
In a statement to PageSix, Pitt’s team hit back and said: “The appeals court ruling was based on a technical procedural issue.
“The facts haven’t changed. There is an extraordinary amount of factual evidence which led the judge – and the many experts who testified – to reach their clear conclusion about what is best in the children’s best interests.
“We will continue to do what’s necessary legally based on the detailed findings of what’s best for the children.”
A source close to Pitt said that the actor is disappointed by the legal setback.
“Brad believes there is overwhelming evidence that the current situation isn’t good for the kids. This just sets things back for everyone,” the source told People.
Jolie reportedly filed for sole custody upon filing for divorce after an incident on their private plane during which the actress said Pitt became abusive and violent.
They had been married for two years before the actress filed for divorce in 2016.
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