In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between , a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ordered Jolie to produce all non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) she has signed in the past eight years. This order is part of the civil lawsuit concerning their French Château and vineyard, Château Miraval. The judge specified that Jolie must provide “all non-privileged documents in her possession, custody, or control that are responsive” to Pitt’s legal team’s request. The court has given Jolie one month to comply.
Impact on the Legal Battle
A source from Pitt’s camp described the ruling as a “crushing blow” to Jolie, who had argued that fulfilling such a request would be “expensive,” “wasteful,” “unreasonable,” and “abusive.” Jolie’s lawyers had also contended that the release of these NDAs could infringe upon the privacy of other individuals involved. These documents likely include contracts with various Hollywood entities, such as employers, brands, and employees, and may detail compensation arrangements.
Relevance to the Case
The legal dispute intensified earlier this year when Pitt’s lawyers requested information on the NDAs Jolie had required her staff to sign. This followed Jolie’s accusation that Pitt was attempting to exert control over her through an “overreaching” agreement. Jolie claims that Pitt demanded she sign a particularly “onerous” and “expansive” NDA, covering his “personal misconduct,” regardless of its relevance to Miraval, as a condition for her to sell her share of the winery to him. She subsequently sold her shares to a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, citing the unfair terms of the NDA as the reason for the breakdown in negotiations.
Response from Jolie’s Legal Team
After the court’s ruling, Jolie’s attorney, Paul Murphy, framed the decision as a victory. Murphy stated, “Common NDAs are simply not comparable to Mr. Pitt’s last-second demand to try and cover up his personal misconduct. We are more than happy to turn them over and we are gratified that the Court acknowledged that the only potential relevance is to the unconscionability of Mr. Pitt’s conduct, a now confirmed key issue in this case.” 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.”
Ongoing Litigation
As Jolie prepares to comply with the judge’s order, her legal team is expected to provide a list of documents they consider privileged, allowing Pitt’s attorneys to evaluate the merits of Jolie’s assertions of privilege. This ongoing legal saga continues to attract public attention, with both parties seeking to resolve their disputes over the French vineyard and the broader implications of their contractual disagreements.