Kit Roberts
Angelina Jolie has reportedly slammed a 'corrupt' judge in the custody battle between her and Brad Pitt, and called for judges to receive additional training.
The Tomb Raider star has spoken out about her experiences during the years-long custody battle between her and ex-husband Brad Pitt.
In a letter seen by The New York Post, the actor urges California Gov. Gavin Newsom to support 'Piqui's Law'.
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This law would require judges and other court officers sitting on domestic violence cases to undergo training on the effects of childhood abuse and trauma.
“This is personal to her, and for good reason,” a source close to the Maleficent star claimed to The Post.
Jolie's support for the proposal comes after Los Angeles Judge John W. Ouderkirk allegedly refused to allow her children to testify in court about the impact of alleged domestic violence they had experienced, according to the outlet.
She allegedly claimed that this happened despite California allowing children aged 14 and over to testify in court.
Ouderkirk ruled in May 2021 that the couple would have 50/50 custody of their children going forward.
However, in July 2021 the appellate court, or court of appeal, ruled that Ouderkirk should be disqualified from the case as he had allegedly failed to sufficiently disclose his 'recent professional' relationships with Pitt's attorneys, the court hearing said.
The 50/50 custody ruling was subsequently overturned, and Jolie now has sole custody of the children who are still minors, with Pitt being granted visitation rights.
The source further claimed that Ouderkirk was a 'biased' judge who was 'removed by the appellate court for his corrupt and secretive financial dealings with Brad Pitt’s team'.
According to The Independent, Pitt's attorney slammed the 'crafty' removal of Ouderkirk and alleged 'the lower court’s ruling will reward parties who are losing child custody cases and condone their gamesmanship' in an 87-page document.
'Piqui's Law' is named after a 5-year-old boy who was killed by his own father in 2017.
In addition to requiring judges and court officers to undergo training, it also seeks to prevent children who are victims of abuse from being separated from the non-violent parent.
The proposed law would also block children caught up in custody battles from going into 'reunification camps', which are places in which estranged children and parents can attempt reconciliation with a therapist, and can be ordered by the court.
The actors became locked in a custody battle over their six children after one alleged incident which saw Jolie file for divorce in 2016, citing 'irreconcilable differences'.
This saw Pitt allegedly shaking Jolie on a flight during a heated argument over their kids. Legal documents claim Pitt had allegedly 'grabbed her by the head and shook her' before adding that he 'poured beer on Jolie; at another, he poured beer and red wine on the children'.
Jolie filed for divorce six days after the incident. Federal authorities did not press any criminal charges against Pitt.
UNILAD has reached out to representatives of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for comment.