Entertainment

Pitt, Jolie sue tabloid over 'split'

February 10, 2010 Edition 1

LONDON: Hollywood couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are suing Britain's News of the World tabloid over allegations it published about their relationship, their London lawyers said.

In a story published on January 24, the weekly newspaper reported that the couple planned to separate and had agreed on how they would divide their assets and custody of their children.

Pitt, 46, and Jolie, 34, have six children and joint assets estimated by the News of the World at £205 million (R2.4 billion).

Schillings law firm described the allegations as "false" and has taken its case to the High Court in London.

Keith Schilling, of Schillings, said the News of the World failed to meet the couple's "reasonable demands" for a retraction of the story and apology "for these false and intrusive allegations which have now been widely republished by mainstream news outlets".

"We have advised them to bring proceedings which they have now done," he added.

Sorrell Trope, of Trope and Trope, identified by some media reports as the Los Angeles divorce lawyer representing the couple, has confirmed to Schillings that the company had no involvement with Pitt and Jolie. - Reuters