American actress Angelina Jolie scored a victory in the legal battle with her ex-husband and colleague Brad Pitt this Friday, when the judge overseeing the divorce and custody of the children was disqualified from the case.

The superstars, who have six children and were once the most pampered couple in Hollywood, ended their marriage in 2016 and have been locked in a legal battle ever since.

In May, the judge appointed to rule on their separation (and who also officiated at their marriage in France in 2014) gave a preliminary ruling altering custody in favor of Pitt, who was seeking greater access to the children.

But nevertheless, this Friday a California appeals court ruled that Judge John Ouderkirk had benefited financially from other work with Pitt’s attorneys and he had not previously reported it, due to which he was disqualified from the case.

The decision basically means that the case will start over with another judge.

Jolie and Pitt became a couple after starring as a murderous couple in the 2004 film “Mr and Mrs Smith.” At the time, he was married to “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston.

In 2018, the couple announced that they had reached an agreement on the children, which nevertheless seems to have vanished. The terms of the initial agreement are not known, but the press reports that Pitt was seeking joint custody, while Jolie wanted it to herself.

THE MAY DECISION

Brad Pitt was awarded joint custody of his children with Angelina Jolie in May after a lengthy court battle.

The 57-year-old actor was fighting his 45-year-old ex-wife in court for almost five years for equal rights in raising children and finally got it despite Jolie’s attempts to prevent it.

Judge John Ouderkirk, the private judge hired by the former couple to handle the divorce case, made his thoughts clear in a long fault recently, after months of witness testimony, including child service professionals who interviewed the children of the actors and others who have been around the family.

“There was a significant change in the custody agreements based on an extremely detailed decision made by the judge. Brad was just trying to spend more time with his kids, and it has become clear that she has done everything she can to avoid it.” Said a source with knowledge of the case to the aforementioned media. “This trial lasted several months and there were a lot of witnesses, experts, therapists and others who have been with and around the children, and the decision was based on this.” It added.

Another source close to the issue added that Jolie continues her legal fight. “Joint custody is not the issue that Angelina opposes, there were other issues of concern, but the court proceedings are closed and sealed,” said the informant.

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