The California Supreme Court has refused an appeal by Nollywood actor Brad Pitt in his custody battle with Angelina Jolie as he attempted to plead against the disqualification of the judge in his divorce case.
On Wednesday (27 October), the court denied a review of the appeals court’s decision to disqualify Los Angeles superior court judge John W Ouderkirk from further hearing the Pitt-Jolie divorce case.
John W Ouderkirk was let go for failing to sufficiently disclose his business relationships with Brad Pitt’s attorneys, something Angelina Jolie had been petitioning for since August 2020.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal in California granted Jolie’s request to have the judge removed on 23 July, raising questions over the judge’s ability to remain impartial.
Judge Ouderkirk had awarded Pitt joint custody over the couple’s five minor children in May this year.
READ ALSO: CUSTODY BATTLE: Brad Pitt flays decision to remove judge in ongoing case with ex-wife Angelina Jolie
His disqualification meant that the custody arrangement reverted to the November 2018 agreement. As per this, Pitt has less than 50 per cent custody over their children but was also awarded more “custodial time” with them.
A representative for Pitt told Peoplethat the supreme court’s decision “not to review” the appellate court’s decision “does not change the extraordinary amount of factual evidence” which led Ouderkirk and multiple experts “to reach their clear conclusion about what is in the children’s best interests”.
“We will continue to do everything that’s legally necessary based on the detailed findings of the independent experts.”
Meanwhile, citing Jolie’s attorney, People reported that the actor is “pleased that her children’s wellbeing will not be guided by unethical behaviour”.
Source: independent.co.uk
