IMPORTANT POINTS

• Angelina Jolie’s attorney argued Friday to remove Judge John Ouderkirk from her custody case, claiming he was not impartial
• Brad Pitt’s attorney alleged that Jolie’s motion to remove the judge was a “delaying tactic.”
• A family lawyer suggested that Jolie “would never appeal” if she had been granted sole custody of her children

The custody battle between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt continues, but some legal experts believe the actress may be “fighting a losing battle”.

During a remote appeals court hearing on Friday, the “Maleficent” star’s attorney Robert Olson argued in favor of removing Judge John W. Ouderkirk from the custody case, claiming he was not impartial and working on legal matters, Pitts attorney Entertainment concern reported tonight.

“Until Ms. Jolie asked, only the judge, the ARC and the opposing attorney knew what was going on … she was shocked that this was going on,” said Olson. “Mrs. Jolie did not know anything that had happened between Pitt’s attorney and the judge.”

Pitt’s attorney fired back, however, claiming the move was a “delaying tactic”.

“Here in a custody case that has been going on for so long, the kids are getting older and it would be extremely unfair to allow such a delaying tactic,” said Pitt’s attorney Theodore Boutrous, adding, “There were no surprises. Ms. Jolie and her lawyer knew about the relationship and the reasons. “

Kelly Chang Rickert, a family law attorney who watched the remote hearing and apparently unrelated to the former couple’s case, shared her thoughts on the exes’ custody battle with ET. She suggested that the actress may be “fighting a losing battle”.

“If Ouderkirk had sided with Angelina and granted her sole custody, she would never appeal; she would not contest his decision as biased, ”she told the point of sale. “The only reason she questions it is because she lost. I mean, she’s fighting, she’s reaching here. “

Rickert also said that in “bitter custody cases” like that of Pitt and Jolie, it is not uncommon for the two parties to keep fighting until the children grow up.

“Because when the children grow up they are outside the jurisdiction of the courts. At the moment they are arguing because the courts can still rule over the children. When they’re 18, they’re on their own. for adults, “she explained.

Jolie’s original request to remove Ouderkirk from her custody case was denied in November 2020. In May, Pitt was granted joint custody of five of her six children – Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14, and 12 -year-old twins Vivienne and Knox through a provisional custody order. Their oldest child, 19-year-old Maddox, was not the subject of the decision as he is of legal age.

Jolie had previously requested the removal of Ouderkirk for allegedly failing to disclose his other dealings with Pitt’s attorneys.

However, Pitt’s camp insisted last year that the judge “had a well-documented history with the parties to the trial who were handling their legal counsels, including, without limitation, being selected by Jolie to preside over the couple’s 2014 wedding.” as neutral on several matters involving lawyers on both sides of this case. “

Ouderkirk remains the judge on her custody case as no decision has been made to remove him, noted ET.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Actors Brad Pitt (L) and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 84th Annual Academy Awards at the Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Dan MacMedan / WireImage