It's been five years of an ongoing custody battle between exes Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and their six children. While it seemed that the pair might be closer to the end earlier this year with Brad regaining custody of their 5 minor children, the actor's petition for review in the decision to disqualify the private judge has been denied.
Brad Pitt's Request For Review In Angelina Jolie Custody Case Has Been Denied
On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court shut down Brad Pitt's request to review the court’s ruling to block Judge John Ouderkirk from overseeing the pair's custody case, as per "The Associated Pres."
As fans may recall, Brad was first granted joint custody of the former couple’s five minor children in May by Judge Ouderkirk, however, a California appeals court disqualified the judge after it was found that he did not disclose business relationships with Brad's attorneys.
Judge Ouderkirk declined to disqualify himself from their divorce when Angelina asked him to in a 2020 court filing.
This comes after Ouderkirk's long relationship with the family — even marrying the pair back in 2014. A lower court eventually ruled that Angelina's request to remove the judge came too late. However, the actress later appealed that decision and won.
in September, Brad requested a review.
The actor's lawyers claimed that any error that Judge Ouderkirk may have made was a minor one, and not sufficient to undo his custody ruling.
"We are seeking review in the California Supreme Court because the temporary judge, who had been appointed and repeatedly renewed by both sides, was improperly disqualified after providing a detailed, fact-based custodial decision, following a lengthy legal process with multiple witnesses and experts,” Brad's attorneys said at the time.
However, nearly two months later, the request has been denied.
"Ms. Jolie is focused on her family and pleased that her children’s wellbeing will not be guided by unethical behavior," Angelina's attorney, Robert Olson, told ET in a statement.
"She welcomes the California Supreme Court’s decision to refuse review of the unanimous Court of Appeal decision."
The statement continued, "As reinforced by California’s appellate courts, our judiciary prioritizes ethics and children’s best interests, and won’t tolerate judicial misconduct to reward the interests of a party. Ms. Jolie is glad for the family to now move forward cooperatively."
This story is ongoing.
h/t: Page Six
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