Madonna's Divorce Will Be Made Public

Intimate details of Madonna's divorce from Guy Ritchie will be made public in a US courtroom, the Evening Standard can reveal.

The custody battle over their two sons has moved to New York, to approve court orders already issued in London. But unlike English family law courts, the New York Supreme Court hearing, listed for 2 March, will be open to the public.

Madonna, 50, is planning to live permanently in New York with her children and needs the US courts to ratify a deal already thrashed out in London.

It raises the prospect that financial arrangements and the singer's demands for her sons' welfare will be aired in public.

It has been alleged that Madonna, who is deeply influenced by kabbalah, a form of Jewish spiritualism, has insisted her sons eat kosher food and attend synagogue on Fridays and Saturdays. It is also claimed she has demanded that Ritchie, 40, upgrade the internet connection at his country estate in Wiltshire allowing her to communicate fully with them when her ex-husband has custody.

The case will be heard by a New York judge whose father is currently serving a 27-year jail term for drug trafficking.

A source close to the case told the Evening Standard: "There is going to be a hearing next month and the papers that have been filed will be available then. The New York hearing will confirm the English proceedings.

"There will be revelations, but the divorce remains amicable and intelligently handled."

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