A Los Angeles court has handed Angelina Jolie a legal advantage in her ongoing dispute with former husband Brad Pitt over the French winery, Chateau Miraval. The court ruled that Jolie need not disclose private emails in the fight, keeping 22 messages out of the case for now.
The case dates back to 2022, when Brad Pitt filed a lawsuit alleging that Jolie sold her stake in the business without his consent, disrupting the winery’s operations.
The Ruling
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Los Angeles County Superior Court |
| Judge’s Finding | Pitt “has not met his burden” to override Jolie’s privilege claim |
| Messages Protected | 22 private emails |
| Nature of Ruling | Denied without prejudice (Pitt can raise issue again) |
| Protection Basis | Communications contained elements of legal strategy |
In a recent order, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled that Brad Pitt cannot compel Jolie to disclose a set of private e-mails linked to the sale of her stake in the property.
The court held that the communications are protected under legal privilege, noting that while not all were strictly between attorney and client, they contained elements of legal strategy and are therefore exempt from disclosure.
Case Background
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Property | Chateau Miraval (French winery) |
| Dispute Started | 2022 (Pitt sued Jolie) |
| Allegation | Jolie sold her stake without Pitt’s consent |
| Jolie’s Position | She acted within her legal rights after negotiations broke down |
Prior and Subsequent Developments
- December 2025: A judge had directed Jolie to hand over the e-mails
- Later found to be flawed: A higher court sent the matter back for reconsideration
- Sanctions Request Denied: Jolie sought nearly USD 34,000 against Pitt’s legal team; request was denied
- Pitt’s Response: A source close to Pitt said Jolie “shouldn’t be celebrating a potential temporary decision”
Trial Schedule
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Trial Date | February 1, 2027 |
| Jolie’s Request | Push to November 2027 |
| Pitt’s Position | Moved court to prevent delays; wants “quiet enjoyment” of the property |
Last month, Pitt also moved the court to prevent any delays in the trial, arguing that the ongoing dispute was denying him the “quiet enjoyment” of the property.
