A Los Angeles judge just handed Angelina Jolie a clear win in her long fight with Brad Pitt over their French winery. The court decided Jolie does not have to turn over her private emails to Pitt’s legal team.
The ruling came on May 5, 2026, from Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ciny Pánuco. The judge said Pitt “has not met his burden” to prove that Jolie’s emails should be shared as evidence in the case. This keeps 22 specific emails private and protected.
Court Protects Jolie’s Emails from Being Released
Pitt’s lawyers wanted access to the emails because they believe the messages contain information about Jolie’s 2021 sale of her share of Château Miraval. The winery is a large estate in the south of France that the former couple co-owned.
Jolie’s lawyers argued the emails are protected by attorney-client privilege. That is a legal rule that keeps talks between a person and their lawyer confidential. The judge agreed with Jolie.
“This is an important victory for Ms. Jolie. The decision shows that Mr. Pitt was completely out of bounds when he sought access to obviously privileged documents.” — Paul Murphy, Jolie’s attorney
The judge noted that Pitt’s legal team might try again later if new evidence shows up. The motion was “denied without prejudice,” which allows Pitt to bring up the issue again in the future. But for now, Jolie keeps her emails private.
Jolie’s Lawyer Says Pitt Wanted Too Much Control
Jolie’s legal team did not hold back their reaction. They accused Pitt of overstepping by trying to force Jolie to share private communications.
Murphy added that Pitt first asked for 126 private documents and later lowered the request to 22. “Now Mr. Pitt is getting nothing, zero,” Murphy said in a statement.
“This is part of Mr. Pitt’s pattern of demanding control over anything Angelina, including control over her communications with her own attorneys.” — Paul Murphy, Jolie’s attorney
Pitt’s side had a different take. A source close to the actor said the judge allowed Pitt’s team to revisit the decision as the case moves forward. The source also noted that Jolie has held back many documents by claiming they are privileged.
Judge Says No to Jolie’s Request for Sanctions
While Jolie won on keeping her emails private, the judge said no to her request for money penalties. Jolie had asked for $33,692.50 in sanctions against Pitt’s legal team.
The judge wrote that the penalties were “not warranted” because Pitt’s arguments were “not without substantial justification.” This means the court found Pitt had reasonable grounds to make his request, even though it was denied.
The Winery Fight Goes Back to 2022
This legal battle is not new. Pitt first sued Jolie in February 2022. He claimed Jolie broke their agreement when she sold her share of Château Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, which is part of the Stoli Group.
Pitt argued that when they bought the winery together in 2008, they both agreed not to sell their shares without the other person saying yes. Jolie has said no such agreement existed. She also filed her own lawsuit back at Pitt.
The case has grown bigger over time. Pitt is seeking $35 million in damages from Jolie for the sale of her stake. Jolie has accused Pitt of “waging a vindictive war against” her through these court fights.
The 2016 Plane Incident Plays a Role
The behind-the-scenes story includes more than just a winery dispute. Jolie’s lawyers have argued that Pitt refused to buy Jolie out of the winery because she would not sign a non-disclosure agreement.
According to court documents, Jolie’s team said the NDA was “designed to force her silence about his abuse and cover-up.” This refers to a 2016 private jet flight where Pitt allegedly was verbally and physically abusive toward Jolie and their children.
Authorities looked into the incident at the time. Pitt was never charged, and Jolie chose not to press charges. But the event has remained a key part of their split.
Trial Set for 2027 as Battle Continues
Even though Jolie and Pitt finalized their divorce in December 2024, the fight over the winery is far from over. The trial for Pitt’s claims is currently set to start on February 1, 2027.
Jolie has asked to move the trial to November 2027 instead. The two sides are still debating the exact date. Last month, Pitt asked the court to stop any further delays, saying the legal fight was denying him the “quiet enjoyment” of the property.
The winery also holds deep personal meaning for the former couple. They got married at Château Miraval in 2014. The estate includes a working vineyard that produces rosé wine.
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Six Children Caught in the Middle
Jolie and Pitt share six children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. Several of the older children have dropped their father’s last name since the divorce.
The legal battles between the two stars have stretched across nearly a decade. Jolie first filed for divorce in September 2016. The proceedings have included fights over custody, money, and now the winery.
For now, Tuesday’s ruling gives Jolie a clear win. Her private emails stay locked away, and Pitt’s team leaves court without the documents they wanted. But the judge’s decision allows Pitt to try again later, so this chapter of the story may not be over yet.
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