Britney Spears is due to ask for fresh legal representation on Wednesday as she continues to seek freedom from the controversial conservatorship arrangement that gives her father extensive control over her life.
The pop superstar’s case is back in court at 1.30pm in Los Angeles (9.30pm BST) after her court-appointed lawyer, Samuel D Ingraham, asked to resign from representing her.
High-profile Hollywood lawyer and former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart is expected to take charge of the singer’s legal representation, and will appear remotely to ask the judge to appoint him as her counsel. It is not clear if Spears will take part in the hearing.
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In her last court appearance, the 39-year-old read a pre-prepared statement describing the conservatorship as “abusive” and asking for her father, Jamie Spears, to be removed as co-conservator.
Spears alleged that she is being prevented from having more children against her will because she is not being permitted to remove her birth control coil.
The singer’s manager of 25 years, Larry Rudolph, resigned following her explosive testimony, saying that his “services are no longer needed” due to her apparent wish to retire.
Britney’s mother Lynne Spears, who is divorced from Jamie, said in a court filing earlier this month that her daughter should be allowed her own legal representation, suggesting her daughter is in a very different place than when her conservatorship began following a mental breakdown in 2008.
Her sister Jamie Lynn Spears has also spoken out in support of her sibling, saying: “If ending the conservatorship, or flying to Mars, or whatever the hell else is something she wants to do to be happy, I support that, 100 per cent.”
Under the conservatorship, the singer’s finances and day-to-day life are controlled by her father and professional fiduciary Jodi Montgomery.
Despite being singled out by his daughter for criticism, Jamie Spears has insisted that Ms Montgomery is “fully in charge” of managing her daily life and maintains he plays no role in guiding her care. In a court filing, he requested an investigation into the allegations of abusive conduct.
A statement from Ms Montgomery’s attorneys have made clear she “has no plans to step down” from the conservatorship, adding: “She remains committed to steadfastly supporting Ms Spears in every way she can within the scope of her duties as a conservator of the person.
“Ms Montgomery will continue to serve as a conservator for as long as Ms Spears and the Court desire her to do so.”
The legal dispute over the conservatorship has sparked major discussions about disability rights and reproductive freedom in the US, with some politicians extending an invite for Ms Spears to testify before Congress about her experiences.
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