Greeva Garg–
The divorce case between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt has been further delayed after the California Appeals Court disqualified the Private Judge in the matter.
Like many other celebrities, Pitt and Jolie decided to hire a private judge for their divorce proceedings to settle their disputes in privacy.
In the Second District Court of Appeal, the disqualification of Judge John W. Ouderkirk was a major victory for Jolie, as the Appeals Court agreed that judge 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. Disqualification is required,” the Court ruled.
The decision by the Appeals Court could again be the starting of the custody fight between Pitt and Jolie for their five minor children, which was eventually coming to an end.
The split dispute between Pitt and Jolie has already been settled by the private judge, as they are declared divorced.
After being heard of the tentative custody decision in favour of Pitt by Judge John W. Ouderkirk, Jolie asked the judge for his disqualification, but he declined.
Jolie went for an Appeal after Lower Court declined her request for Ouderkirk’s disqualification.
The ruling of the second Appeal Court does not specify if the minor children will be allowed to testify in the case.