Madge’s adoptive daughter’s family has no legal right to see her: Lawyer
February 10th, 2011 - 3:15 pm ICT by ANI
London, Feb 10 (ANI): Madonna’s lawyer has said that the family of singer’s adopted daughter has no legal right to see the five-year-old.
The claim comes after James family, led by Mercy Chifundo James’ biological uncle Peter Baneti and grandmother Lucy Chekechiwa, approached the Cicil Liberties Committee (CILIC) of leading human rights campaigner Emmie Chanika to sue Madonna for breach of trust.
Chanika conceded no visitation rights were included in the adoption agreement, which saw Mercy James leave Malawi for a new life with Madonna, 52, two years ago.
She admitted there is no written agreement but insisted the family has reasonable cause to push for the visitation.
“It was like a gentleman’s agreement,” she said.
‘They have a strong recollection that Ms. Madonna (sic) assured them they would be able to see Mercy on a regular basis,” she added.
Chanika said legal action would not be necessary if Madonna allows the family to see James.
Madonna’s lawyer Alan Chinula has also denied claims that she ever-promised regular visits.
“There was no such agreement,” the Daily Mail quoted Chinula as saying. (ANI)
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- Madonna pays $19 million to adopt Malawi orphan Mercy James - Jun 14, 2009
- Madge's adopted daughter Mercy's granny says orphanage was to return the girl to family - Jun 28, 2009
- Mercy's granny never wanted to give her to Madonna permanently - Jun 29, 2009
- Father of Madonna's Mercy upset after missing meeting with daughter - Apr 08, 2010
- Madonna's adoption plan will come through, says lawyer - Apr 02, 2009
- Madonna plans Malawi trip to 'reunite Mercy with her biological family' - Mar 30, 2010
- Granny wants to stop Madonna from adopting girl - Mar 28, 2009
- Madonna's adoption of Mercy wins hearts in Malawi - Jun 15, 2009
- Malawian girl's gran vows to stop Madonna from 'stealing' her - Mar 28, 2009
- Madonna's Malawi adoption bid gets Human Rights boost - Apr 10, 2009
- Crushed Madonna meets Guy Ritchie in London - Apr 07, 2009
- Madonna blasts 'Malawian adoption' critics - Mar 30, 2009
Tags: adoption agreement, breach of trust, campaigner, chanika, cilic, daily mail, gentleman, grandmother, human rights, lawyer, liberties, london feb, lucy, madge, madonna, mercy james, recollection, visitation rights