The long-running legal battle between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt has taken another turn—this time in Jolie’s favor.
A Los Angeles judge ruled on Monday that Pitt cannot compel Jolie to hand over private emails related to their dispute over Château Miraval. The court agreed with Jolie’s argument that the communications are protected under attorney-client privilege, meaning they must remain confidential.
In the decision, Judge Ciny Pánuco stated that Pitt “has not met his burden” to justify why those emails should lose that protection. As a result, the requested messages will stay private.
Jolie’s attorney, Paul Murphy, welcomed the ruling, describing it as “an important victory” for his client. He also criticized Pitt’s legal approach, accusing him of overreaching by attempting to access what he characterized as clearly protected legal communications.
On the other side, a source close to Pitt suggested the matter may not be fully settled. They noted that the judge left room for the issue to be revisited if new evidence emerges, and argued that Jolie has withheld a significant number of documents under claims of privilege.
The broader dispute dates back to 2022, when Pitt sued Jolie over her sale of shares in Château Miraval, the French winery they once co-owned. Jolie responded with allegations that Pitt had been acting vindictively in the aftermath of their separation.
Since then, the case has expanded well beyond a business disagreement, involving claims about non-disclosure agreements, missing records, and financial damages. References to the couple’s widely reported 2016 private jet incident have also surfaced during the proceedings.
Although Jolie and Pitt finalized their divorce in 2024, their legal conflicts—particularly surrounding the winery—remain ongoing, with no clear end in sight.
