Angelina Jolie Versus Brad Pitt: Court Orders Disclosure Of NDAs
Washington: In a pivotal moment within the ongoing legal tussle between Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Pitt, a Los Superior Court has made a crucial ruling. The court has directed Jolie to submit all non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) she's signed in the last eight years. This order is a significant development in the couple's lengthy dispute, which also involves the ownership of their $500 million French winery, Chateau Miraval.>
The directiveitates that the 'Maleficent' actress must hand over any non-privileged documents that are in her possession, custody, or control which respond to Pitt's legal team's inquiries within the next month. This development is seen as a setback for Jolie, who has previously contended that complying with such a request would be costly, unnecessary, and an intrusion on the privacy of third parties involved.
The demanded documents are believed to include NDAs pertaining to Hollywood employers, brands, and personal staff, which could contain delicate information regarding Jolie's compensation and contracts with various entities. Additionally, Jolie is required to list any documents she deems privileged to allow Pitt's legal team to challenge her privilege claims if necessary.
The legal skirmish between the Oscar-winning duo extends beyond their divorce, with significant focus on Chateau Miraval, a winery they both have stakes in. Jolie has accused Pitt of attempting to control her with an overly broad NDA, purportedly designed to veil his personal misconduct, unrelated to the winery operations. This accusation comes in the backdrop of Jolie's attempt to sell her share of the winery to Pitt, which was thwarted, leading her to divest her stake to a Stoli Group subsidiary — a move Pitt contests, claiming it was done without his consent.
A source sympathetic to Pitt views this court ruling as another pre-trial win for him. However, Jolie's legal representative, Paul Murphy, presents a different perspective, downplaying the comparison of common NDAs to Pitt's alleged attempt to mask personal misdeeds. Murphy underscores the significance of the court's recognition of the NDAs' relevance to the ongoing case, highlighting the necessity for transparency in the discovery responses from all involved parties, including Pitt.
Despite the court's decision, sources close to Jolie remain confident that the NDAs will not be disclosed during the trial. Murphy's statement emphasizes Jolie's anticipation for the litigation's conclusion, aiming to put an end to "false narratives" that have impacted the family's healing process. This legal battle continues to unravel, shedding light on the complexities and strained dynamics between Jolie and Pitt post their separation.
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