Decide disqualified in Jolie-Pitt youngster custody battle

July 23, 2021 3:30 p.m.

By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer

Posted: Jul 23, 2021 3:30 PM

Updated: July 26, 2021 6:37 AM

A California appeals court on Friday disqualified a private judge appointed by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in their divorce proceedings, giving Jolie a huge win.

The 2nd District Court of Appeals agreed with Jolie that Judge John W. Ouderkirk had failed to adequately disclose business relationships with Pitt’s attorneys.

“Judge Ouderkirk’s ethical violation, along with the information disclosed about his recent professional relationships with Pitt’s attorney, could reasonably cast doubt on the judge’s ability to be impartial to an objective person who knows all the facts. Disqualification is required, ”ruled the court.

The decision means the nearing end of the custody battle over the couple’s five underage children could start all over again.

The judge has already ruled the couple is divorced, but separated the custody issues.

Like many celebrity couples, Pitt and Jolie chose to hire their own judge to increase their privacy in the divorce process.

The judgment does not go into whether the children are allowed to testify in the case.

Whole story:

• STF

  In this combination photo, Angelina Jolie, left, arrives for the European premiere of “Maleficent Mistress of Evil” in central London on October 9, 2019, and Brad Pitt poses in the press room for the Oscars on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles. A California appeals court disqualified a private judge appointed by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in their divorce proceedings on Friday, July 23, 2021, giving Jolie a grand victory. The District Court of Appeals agreed with Jolie that Judge John Ouderkirk had failed to adequately disclose business relationships with Pitt’s attorneys. The decision means the nearing end of the custody battle over the couple’s five underage children could start all over again.

• AP photo, file

  In this November 12, 2006 photo, Angelina Jolie with her daughter Zahara and Brad Pitt (right) walk with Jolie’s son Maddox near the Gateway of India in Mumbai, India.

• AP Photo / Chris Pizzello

  In this June 5, 2007 file photo, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrive to the premiere of “Ocean’s Thirteen” in Los Angeles, California.

• Photo / Chris Pizzello

  In this file photo dated June 5, 2007, Brad Pitt (right), a cast member in the film “Ocean’s Thirteen”, arrives with Angelina Jolie at the premiere of the film at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.

• AP Photo / Virginia Mayo, file

  In this file photo dated May 21, 2007, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie come to a photocall for the film “A Mighty Heart” at the 60th Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, southern France.

• AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill, File

  In this January 15, 2007 file photo, Brad Pitt and actress Angelina Jolie arrive at the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California.

• AP Photo / Matt Sayles

  In this file photo dated May 15, 2008, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie come to the premiere of the film “Kung Fu Panda” during the 61st International Film Festival in Cannes, southern France.

• AP Photo / Kevork Djansezian

  In this January 27, 2008 photo, Angelina Jolie (left) and Brad Pitt sit together before the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards begin in Los Angeles.