Pitt's secret settlement

Film

13:30 17 August 2005

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have hired a £300-an-hour private divorce judge to ensure details of their split remain a closely guarded secret.

The move has fuelled further speculation that Pitt's relationship with Angelina Jolie caused the collapse of their marriage.

However, when Aniston filed for divorce earlier this year she cited 'irreconcilable differences' and made no mention of infidelity.

Details of their split will remain undisclosed as, under Californian law, public court papers containing details of their divorce will not be published.

The former golden pair will also negotiate the terms - which is expected to be a 50-50 split of their £100million fortune - away from the courtroom and in the privacy of their lawyers' offices.

At stake is their £8million Hollywood estate, a £3million yacht and profits from their production company 'Plan B' and their Santa Barbara ranch.

Celebrity divorce lawyer Raoul Felder said: "This is a rent-a-judge situation. It's something that can only be done in the state of California."

Aniston, 36, and Pitt, 41, announced their separation in January after weeks of speculation about their five-year marriage.

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