In a significant development in the protracted legal battle between Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, the Los Angeles Superior Court has issued a decisive order against Jolie. The court has mandated that Jolie must produce all non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed over the past eight years, marking yet another twist in their contentious dispute over the ownership of their USD 500 million French winery, Chateau Miraval, as reported by Page Six.
The court’s ruling specifically requires the “Maleficent” star to deliver within the next month any non-privileged documents in her possession, custody, or control that pertain to Pitt’s legal team’s requests. A source close to Pitt described the ruling as a “crushing blow” to Jolie. She previously contended that producing the NDAs would be “expensive,” “wasteful,” and “unreasonable,” citing concerns about potential invasions of privacy for third parties.
According to Page Six, the documents in question likely include NDAs related to Hollywood employers, brands, and Jolie’s personal staff. These documents may contain sensitive information about Jolie’s compensation and contractual agreements with third parties. The court’s order also stipulates that Jolie must provide a comprehensive list of any documents she considers to be privileged, giving Pitt’s legal team the opportunity to assess the validity of her claims.
The Oscar-winning couple has been embroiled in a lengthy and public legal dispute that extends beyond their divorce and centers on their Chateau Miraval winery. Jolie’s legal team has accused Pitt of leveraging an overreaching NDA to control her, alleging that the NDA was created to conceal Pitt’s personal misconduct, which Jolie claims is unrelated to the winery itself.
This convoluted legal battle has impeded negotiations between Jolie and Pitt regarding the sale of her stake in the winery. Jolie ultimately chose to sell her shares to a subsidiary of the Stoli Group after negotiations with Pitt fell through. Pitt has since contested the sale to Stoli, accusing Jolie of executing the deal unfairly and without his involvement. As reported by Page Six, sources close to Pitt view this recent court ruling as another pre-trial victory for him.
However, Jolie’s attorney, Paul Murphy, offered a different perspective on the court’s decision. He said, “Common NDAs are simply not comparable to Mr.
. Pitt’s last-second demand to try and cover up his personal misconduct.” Murphy emphasized the court’s acknowledgment of the NDAs’ potential relevance to the case, suggesting that this could have broader implications for Pitt’s conduct in the ongoing litigation.
Murphy further commented, “We welcome that transparency in all parties’ discovery responses, including Mr. Pitt’s. Angelina looks forward to the eventual end of this litigation with its false narratives that continue to hurt the family and interfere with their ability to heal.” A source close to Jolie has assured that it is unlikely the NDAs will be exposed during the trial itself.
To recap, this recent legal development represents a critical juncture in the ongoing saga between Jolie and Pitt. Both sides have been entrenched in a bitter and protracted conflict over the ownership and control of the Chateau Miraval winery, a legal battle that has extended well past their initial divorce proceedings. This latest court ruling adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate legal case, and it remains to be seen how this decision will influence the broader outcome of their dispute.
In recent months, the feud between Jolie and Pitt has garnered substantial media attention, given their high-profile status and the considerable value of the assets in question. The Chateau Miraval winery, not just a sprawling estate but also a highly valued brand, has been a focal point of contention between the two. Both have made serious allegations against each other, and the release of the NDAs could potentially bring to light more information that could sway public and legal opinion.
The legal maneuvers from both sides indicate that neither party is ready to back down, suggesting that the case could drag on for some time yet. As Angelina Jolie prepares to comply with the court order, all eyes will be on how the revealed NDAs will affect the proceedings. Whether this will result in a resolution or further complicate matters is something observers will be watching closely in the coming weeks and months.
