‘Kidnap’ claim over Madonna’s son Rocco
MADONNA is using child abduction laws in a bid to force Guy Ritchie to return their 15-year-old son to her in New York.
The singer, 57, is using the Hague Convention to demand the film director send Rocco, who is living with him in London, back to her.
But in a High Court hearing in London yesterday, a judge told the couple to sort out the problem themselves and not use the courts.
Judge Alistair MacDonald said it was ‘ highly unfortunate and deeply regrettable’ that they had to resort to lawyers. His concerns echo the words of a New York judge who said on Wednesday it was ‘extremely troubling’ that the pair could not settle their differences privately.
At yesterday’s hearing, the judge said it was his ‘fervent wish that further discussions between parties r e ach an amicable s ol uti on’ . Madonna, 57, claims Rocco has been illegally retained by his father.
She has brought the case against Ritchie, 47, under child abduction laws in the Hague Convention. She has also brought a case in New York.
The singer is in New Zealand on tour but took time to post a series of bizarre pictures and messages on social media, seemingly in reference to the case.
Yesterday, Judge MacDonald criticised the pair, saying there were ‘two legal issues, two judges, two sets of lawyers’ fighting separate cases in New York and London.
He added: ‘An amicable, negotiated resolution i s evidently the way forward and in Rocco’s best interests.’ David Williams QC, f or Madonna, said she wished to withdraw the case in Britain.
Judge MacDonald said he had to examine issues over Rocco’s welfare before deciding whether to dismiss the case. The hearing in London resumes on March 10. The New York case resumes on June 1.