In a significant development in the protracted legal battle between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, a Los Angeles Superior Court has ordered Jolie to turn over all non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) she has signed over the past eight years. This decision represents the latest twist in their ongoing dispute over the ownership of their USD 500 million French winery, Chateau Miraval, as confirmed by Page Six.
The court ruling mandates that the Maleficent star must produce within the next month all non-privileged documents in her possession, custody, or control that respond to Pitt’s legal team’s requests. A source close to Pitt described the ruling as a “crushing blow” to Jolie, who had previously argued that producing the NDAs would be “expensive,” “wasteful,” and “unreasonable,” as well as an “invasion of privacy” for third parties involved.
The documents in question likely encompass NDAs related to Hollywood employers, brands, and personal staff, potentially containing sensitive information about Jolie’s compensation and contracts with third parties. The court’s order also requires Jolie to provide a list of any documents she considers privileged, enabling Pitt’s team to evaluate her claims of privilege.
The Oscar-winning couple has been embroiled in a legal dispute that has extended beyond their divorce, particularly focusing on the Chateau Miraval winery. Jolie’s legal team has accused Pitt of attempting to control her through an overreaching NDA, which she claimed was intended to cover Pitt’s personal misconduct unrelated to the winery.
This dispute reportedly hindered an agreement for Jolie to sell her stake in the winery to Pitt, leading her to sell her shares to a subsidiary of the Stoli Group instead. Pitt has contested the sale to Stoli, alleging that Jolie acted unfairly in finalizing the deal without his consent. According to Page Six, a source aligned with Pitt noted that this ruling represents another pre-trial victory for him.
However, Jolie’s attorney, Paul Murphy, framed the decision differently, stating, “Common NDAs are simply not comparable to Mr. Pitt’s last-second demand to try and cover up his personal misconduct.” He emphasized that the court’s acknowledgment of the NDAs’ potential relevance to the case is significant, hinting at the broader implications for Pitt’s conduct.
Murphy added, “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 assured that the NDAs are unlikely to be exposed during the trial.
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The high-profile legal battle between the Hollywood stars has drawn considerable media attention and public scrutiny. Chateau Miraval, a 35-room estate in the South of France, has been a particular point of contention. The couple purchased the property in 2012 and held their wedding there in 2014. The estate not only serves as a reminder of their once fairy-tale love story but also represents a lucrative business venture. The winery has produced a range of highly-acclaimed wines over the years and has become a symbol of luxury and prestige.
The saga of their dispute reflects broader issues of power and control in relationships, especially those in the public eye. Analysts suggest that the ongoing battle is not just over the financial worth of the winery but is deeply tied to personal control and autonomy for both Jolie and Pitt.
The order demanding Jolie produce the NDAs might potentially open the doors to sensitive details about their professional and personal lives. In Hollywood, NDAs are often used to protect confidentiality regarding business deals, personal relationships, and sometimes even misconduct. Hence, uncovering these documents could reveal information that might tilt the scales in favor of one party over the other.
For Pitt, the unfolding of this drama signifies another step towards resolving the issues surrounding Chateau Miraval. Sources close to him believe that revealing these documents may bring transparency and clarity to their disputes and possibly uncover details that Jolie may have been wanting to stay hidden.
On the other hand, Jolie’s camp remains skeptical and concerned about privacy invasion. They argue that this demand oversteps the boundaries of what is reasonable and fair, highlighting the challenges of maintaining privacy amid publicized legal spats.
The public and fans of the former couple remain intrigued and divided, with a section supporting Jolie for standing up against what they perceive as overreach and control, while another faction backs Pitt, seeing his legal maneuvers as justified steps to protect his interests.
As this legal battle continues to unfold, both Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt will undoubtedly remain under the spotlight. The eventual outcome will not only impact their business dealings but also set precedents for how personal disputes of high-profile individuals are handled, particularly when intertwined with significant business interests. Until then, the world watches with bated breath as these Hollywood titans continue their court room drama, adding another chapter to their already storied saga.
